Abstract
Japan’s rice production in 2023 reached 7.17 million tons, the highest in recent years, reflecting favorable growing conditions and improved agricultural practices. The cultivated area stands at 1.34 million hectares, marking a significant reduction over past decades due to urbanization and crop diversification, but efficiency gains have offset the decline. Yield per 10a continues to improve, with Aomori achieving a record 614 kg, showcasing the region’s optimal climate and advanced techniques. This trend highlights Japan’s shift toward maximizing productivity through innovation and adaptation to market and environmental challenges while maintaining the quality and cultural significance of its rice.
Bean yield (main data).
Japan’s rice yields have seen significant shifts from 1883 to 2023, reflecting changes in agricultural practices and societal needs. The peak harvest of 14.3 million tons in 1967 marked a period of high demand fueled by post-war recovery and population growth. Since then, production has declined, with the current national average at 50.3% of its peak. This reduction stems from dietary diversification, population decline, and policies like rice acreage reduction to stabilize prices. Despite the decrease, productivity per unit area has improved due to advancements in technology and cultivation methods. These trends highlight Japan’s adaptability in balancing tradition with evolving agricultural and economic realities.


The maximum is 149kt[1958] of Japan, and the current value is about 5.73%
Bean harvest volume (by prefecture).
Niigata continues to lead Japan’s rice production, achieving the highest yield of 592,000 tons in 2023, reflecting its long-standing reputation as a premier rice-producing region. Known for its fertile soil, ample water supply, and favorable climate, Niigata exemplifies the regional specialization that characterizes Japan’s rice industry. While national production has declined due to population shrinkage and dietary shifts, Niigata has maintained its prominence by focusing on premium varieties like Koshihikari, catering to quality-conscious markets. This highlights a broader trend of regional optimization and the prioritization of quality over quantity in Japan’s modern rice production landscape.


The maximum is 8.09kt of Hokkaido, the average is 8.09kt, and the total is 8.09kt
Area cultivated with beans (main data).
The area of land used for rice cultivation in Japan has undergone significant changes from 1883 to 2023. The peak was reached in 1969, with 3.17 million hectares under cultivation, reflecting high demand during the post-war economic boom. Since then, the cultivated area has decreased sharply, now at just 42.4% of its peak. This decline is driven by urbanization, government policies like acreage reduction to control oversupply, and shifting dietary habits. Despite reduced acreage, productivity per hectare has increased due to advances in farming technology and improved varieties. This trend underscores Japan’s focus on efficiency and adapting to modern agricultural and economic realities.


The maximum is 105kha[1958] of Japan, and the current value is about 5.91%
Area cultivated with green beans (by prefecture).
Hokkaido leads Japan in the area of land used for bean cultivation, with 5.78 thousand hectares recorded in 2022, the largest nationwide. This dominance reflects Hokkaido’s vast arable land, suitable climate, and mechanized farming, which support large-scale production. Over the years, bean cultivation in Japan has become increasingly concentrated in regions like Hokkaido, where efficiency and productivity are maximized. While the nationwide cultivation area has slightly decreased due to urbanization and shifts to higher-value crops, Hokkaido’s prominence underscores the trend toward regional specialization, ensuring steady production despite broader agricultural challenges.


The maximum is 5.78kha of Hokkaido, the average is 5.78kha, and the total is 5.78kha
Bean yield per 10a (by prefecture).
In 2023, Japan’s rice yield per 10a averaged 511 kg, with Aomori achieving the highest yield at 614 kg, showcasing the region’s favorable climate and advanced farming techniques. Nationwide, total yield reached 24 tons, reflecting steady improvements in productivity despite declining cultivation areas. These gains are driven by technological advancements, better irrigation, and high-performing rice varieties. The focus on maximizing yield per unit area highlights Japan’s adaptation to shrinking farmland and changing agricultural demands. Aomori’s standout performance underscores the importance of regional strengths in sustaining Japan’s rice production amid evolving environmental and economic challenges.


The maximum is 140kg of Hokkaido, the average is 140kg, and the total is 140kg
Main data
Green beans(Yield) [kt] | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Japan | Hokkaido | Prefecture | Kanto | Nagano | Gunma | Tohoku | Hokuriku | Yamanashi | Ibaraki | |
2022 | 8.53 | 8.09 | ||||||||
2021 | 7.2 | 6.86 | ||||||||
2020 | 4.92 | 4.68 | ||||||||
2019 | 13.4 | 12.7 | ||||||||
2018 | 9.76 | 9.23 | 0.53 | 0.39 | 0.18 | 0.12 | 0.07 | 0.06 | 0.04 | 0.04 |
2017 | 16.9 | 16.4 | ||||||||
2016 | 5.65 | 5.48 | ||||||||
2015 | 25.5 | 24.8 | 0.71 | 0.49 | 0.21 | 0.18 | 0.13 | 0.08 | 0.05 | 0.05 |
2014 | 20.5 | 19.7 | ||||||||
2013 | 15.3 | 14.6 | ||||||||
2012 | 18 | 17.2 | 0.77 | 0.53 | 0.24 | 0.18 | 0.14 | 0.08 | 0.05 | 0.04 |
2011 | 9.87 | 9.24 | ||||||||
2010 | 22 | 20.7 | ||||||||
2009 | 15.9 | 14.9 | 1.03 | 0.62 | 0.26 | 0.24 | 0.23 | 0.12 | 0.07 | 0.05 |
2008 | 24.5 | 23.4 | ||||||||
2007 | 21.9 | 20.8 | ||||||||
2006 | 19.1 | 18 | 1.09 | 0.67 | 0.34 | 0.19 | 0.21 | 0.12 | 0.08 | 0.05 |
2005 | 25.7 | 24.6 | ||||||||
2004 | 27.3 | 26.1 | ||||||||
2003 | 23 | 21.7 | 1.29 | 0.8 | 0.36 | 0.26 | 0.23 | 0.14 | 0.1 | 0.07 |
2002 | 34 | 32.6 | ||||||||
2001 | 23.8 | 22.3 | 1.54 | 0.94 | 0.39 | 0.34 | 0.24 | 0.18 | 0.11 | 0.08 |
2000 | 15.3 | 13.7 | 1.63 | |||||||
1999 | 21.4 | 19.7 | 1.69 | |||||||
1998 | 24.8 | 23.2 | 1.56 | 0.9 | 0.39 | 0.32 | 0.24 | 0.19 | 0.09 | 0.09 |
1997 | 32.6 | 30.8 | 1.85 | |||||||
1996 | 32.7 | 30.8 | ||||||||
1995 | 44.3 | 42.3 | 2 | 1.12 | 0.46 | 0.42 | 0.31 | 0.24 | 0.07 | 0.12 |
1994 | 18.7 | 16.6 | 2.07 | |||||||
1993 | 26.2 | 24.3 | 1.9 | |||||||
1992 | 33.8 | 31.5 | 2.31 | |||||||
1991 | 43.6 | 41.3 | 2.32 | 1.14 | 0.48 | 0.39 | 0.37 | 0.32 | 0.06 | 0.16 |
1990 | 32.4 | 30 | 2.41 | |||||||
1989 | 36 | 33.5 | 2.49 | |||||||
1988 | 34.9 | 32.5 | 2.39 | 0.99 | 0.47 | 0.22 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.05 | 0.18 |
1987 | 37.7 | 35 | 2.7 | |||||||
1986 | 39.7 | 37 | 2.71 | |||||||
1985 | 43.7 | 41 | 2.73 | 1.13 | 0.46 | 0.29 | 0.42 | 0.43 | 0.06 | 0.22 |
1984 | 60 | 57.1 | 2.94 | |||||||
1983 | 32.7 | 29.7 | 3.01 | |||||||
1982 | 57.9 | 54.9 | 3.02 | 0.96 | 0.4 | 0.16 | 0.46 | 0.59 | 0.04 | 0.23 |
1981 | 36.7 | 33.4 | 3.26 | |||||||
1980 | 33.4 | 30 | 3.35 | |||||||
1979 | 40.9 | 37.5 | 3.43 | |||||||
1978 | 51.6 | 48 | 3.62 | |||||||
1977 | 84.8 | 80 | 4.75 | |||||||
1976 | 83.4 | 78.9 | 4.5 | |||||||
1975 | 67.2 | 63.1 | 4.05 | |||||||
1974 | 71.6 | 67.3 | 4.32 | |||||||
1973 | 77.9 | 73.5 | 4.39 | |||||||
1972 | 96.8 | 91.5 | 5.26 | |||||||
1971 | 89.1 | 83.6 | 5.55 | |||||||
1970 | 123.7 | 117.8 | 5.93 | 1.03 | 0.2 | 0.83 | 0.1 | 0.32 | ||
1969 | 99.6 | 93.1 | 6.54 | 1.08 | 0.26 | 0.87 | 0.1 | 0.43 | ||
1968 | 104.8 | 97.8 | 7.03 | 2.44 | 1.18 | 0.31 | 1.78 | 0.93 | 0.15 | 0.41 |
1967 | 119.8 | 112.3 | 7.44 | 1.11 | 0.35 | 2.03 | 0.99 | 0.19 | 0.44 | |
1966 | 80.9 | 72.9 | 8.09 | 1.24 | 0.44 | 2.09 | 1.03 | 0.3 | 0.58 | |
1965 | 134.4 | 126.2 | 8.26 | 3.02 | 1.19 | 0.45 | 2.17 | 0.99 | 0.26 | 0.61 |
1964 | 78.6 | 70 | 8.57 | 3.06 | 1.27 | 0.25 | 2.26 | 1.04 | 0.32 | 0.63 |
1963 | 135.2 | 125.9 | 9.33 | 3.28 | 1.43 | 0.26 | 2.57 | 1.13 | 0.31 | 0.66 |
1962 | 100.7 | 90.9 | 9.82 | 3.69 | 1.46 | 0.33 | 2.51 | 1.16 | 0.4 | 0.87 |
1961 | 129.8 | 119.3 | 10.5 | 4.13 | 1.68 | 0.44 | 2.71 | 1.14 | 0.37 | 0.9 |
1960 | 142.2 | 130.8 | 11.3 | 4.71 | 2.12 | 0.43 | 2.91 | 1.19 | 0.42 | 0.96 |
1959 | 148.8 | 137.6 | 11.2 | 4.73 | 2.13 | 0.48 | 2.98 | 1.2 | 0.32 | 1.08 |
1958 | 148.9 | 137.9 | 10.9 | 4.57 | 2.05 | 0.57 | 2.83 | 1.12 | 0.36 | 0.92 |
1957 | 109.8 | 97.6 | 12.2 | 5.62 | 2.69 | 0.62 | 2.91 | 1.18 | 0.35 | 1.18 |
1956 | 77.4 | 68.4 | 9 | 3.99 | 1.93 | 0.54 | 2.28 | 0.83 | 0.2 | 0.72 |
1955 | 141 | 133.9 | 7.16 | 3.04 | 1.69 | 0.51 | 2.13 | 0.52 | 0.12 | 0.3 |
1954 | 73.1 | 68.1 | 4.97 | 2.46 | 1.03 | 0.46 | 1.1 | 0.42 | 0.19 | 0.35 |
1953 | 65 | 60.7 | 4.3 | 1.67 | 0.54 | 0.31 | 1.08 | 0.4 | 0.15 | 0.24 |
1952 | 75.1 | 70 | 5.12 | 2.06 | 0.68 | 0.38 | 1.24 | 0.67 | 0.42 | 0.27 |
1951 | 49.3 | 45.8 | 3.52 | 1.37 | 0.27 | 0.26 | 0.85 | 0.29 | 0.34 | 0.22 |
1950 | 48.4 | 45.8 | 2.59 | 1.07 | 0.19 | 0.15 | 0.53 | 0.18 | 0.22 | 0.31 |
1949 | 21.8 | 20 | 1.84 | 0.72 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.33 | 0.14 | 0.22 | 0.13 |
1948 | 22.7 | 20.6 | 2.1 | 0.83 | 0.28 | 0.15 | 0.38 | 0.22 | 0.1 | 0.13 |
1947 | 14.5 | |||||||||
1946 | 18.4 | |||||||||
1945 | 14.7 | |||||||||
1944 | 22.9 | |||||||||
1943 | 39.3 | |||||||||
1942 | 64.1 | |||||||||
1941 | 37.3 | |||||||||
1940 | 83.6 | |||||||||
1939 | 101 | |||||||||
1938 | 90.7 | |||||||||
1937 | 122.7 | |||||||||
1936 | 69.9 | |||||||||
1935 | 51.4 | |||||||||
1934 | 71.9 | |||||||||
1933 | 114.2 | |||||||||
1932 | 37.2 | |||||||||
1931 | 59.4 | |||||||||
1930 | 127.3 | |||||||||
1929 | 92.7 | |||||||||
1928 | 65.9 | |||||||||
1927 | 71.9 | |||||||||
1926 | 58.9 |
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