Japan is experiencing a historic temperature record - on Tuesday, the city of Isesaki (Gunma Prefecture) recorded 41.8 degrees Celsius, the highest level in the country's history. Due to the abnormal heat, the country's government has already announced its intention to take measures to mitigate the negative impact of weather conditions on the rice harvest, Reuters reports.

The new record exceeded the previous high of 41.2 degrees, which was recorded last week in the city of Tamba (Hyogo Prefecture). In general, temperatures continue to rise across Japan, with July becoming the third consecutive month with record high temperatures.

Of particular concern is the northeast of the country, where critically low rainfall is observed along the Sea of Japan coast. The drought is a serious threat to rice yields, as soil moisture is a key factor in growing the crop.

The high temperatures are also encouraging the proliferation of pests, including rice bugs, which have caused significant damage to crops in some regions. While the Japanese government recently adopted a new policy to boost rice production to prevent future shortages, the challenge now is to respond quickly to the current crisis.

Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stressed the need for urgent action: “We must act quickly and with a sense of crisis to avoid losses.” The government intends to support farmers in combating pests and take measures to mitigate the effects of the drought.

Extreme heat in 2023 already damaged the quality of rice, leading to a severe shortage last year. This situation was compounded by the government's miscalculations of supply and demand, which resulted in rice prices reaching historically high levels, causing a real food crisis in the country.