Japan Initiatives of Climate Change Adaptation for Paddy Rice Commodity

Abstract

As one of the most consumed staple crops, rice is susceptible to climate change, emphasizing the crucial need to promote the climate adaptation of rice to ensure sustainable food security. This research aims to study the climate change impact and mitigation measures in rice commodity from Japan's perspective to serve as reference for other rice-producing countries. A study case is conducted in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Combining literature study and interviews, this study found increasing temperature and unstable rainfall as the most impacting climate change factors to rice commodity. These factors cause decreased yield and quality in the study case area. To mitigate the impacts, several countermeasures have been implemented in Japan e.g. water management, cultivation schedule adjustment, fertilizer management, and introduction of heat-resistant cultivar. Both the literature and the interviewees agreed that while introduction of heat-resistant cultivar is the most efficient measure, it bears the highest cost, resources, and time. All in all, climate change impacts in general and vulnerability of paddy rice commodity to the impacts are relatively well observed in Japan as shown from the established tracking system and database. The mitigation measures are done in top-down approach and supported by a bottom-up manner with an organized distribution of responsibilities among the stakeholders.