コメの価格高騰で…韓国土産にお米！？国内では給食で「白米」の回数を減らす自治体も｜TBS NEWS DIG

Summary

The rising price of rice in Japan is impacting various sectors, from tourism in Seoul to children's meals in Japan. Japanese tourists are noticing affordable rice in Seoul, while in Japan, the cost of rice has surged, affecting school lunches and children's cafeterias. Tokyo’s children’s cafeterias are facing shortages due to halted rice donations from food banks, and Osaka schools have reduced rice-based meals. As institutions adapt by introducing alternatives like bread, there are growing concerns about food insecurity and the future of affordable meals for children.

Takeaways

• 😀 Korean rice is being sold in supermarkets in Seoul for a price ranging from 3,000 to 4,700 yen.
• 😀 Despite the need for inspection when bringing rice into Japan, its rising price makes it tempting for tourists to buy.
• 😀 The price increase of Japanese rice is impacting children's meals in Japan, including at children's cafeterias.
• 😀 In Tokyo's Arakawa district, a children's cafeteria serves meals for 100 yen to elementary and high school students.
• 😀 A popular meal at the cafeteria is bibimbap, and children are encouraged to think of others when serving themselves.
• 😀 The sound of children laughing fills the cafeteria as they enjoy their meals.
• 😀 The food bank supporting Arakawa district’s children's cafeteria stopped rice support due to the price increase.
• 😀 The children express sadness at the thought of not having their favorite rice dishes anymore.
• 😀 The cafeteria is struggling to collect rice from different organizations to maintain meal portions, with uncertainty about the future.
• 😀 Due to the rice price increase, schools in Osaka are reducing the number of days they serve rice in school meals from three to two times per week.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the transcript?

The main topic of the transcript discusses the rising cost of rice in Japan and its impact on children’s meals, particularly at a children's cafeteria in Tokyo's Arakawa Ward. It highlights how food banks, schools, and families are affected by these price increases.

How much does rice cost in South Korea, according to the transcript?

The rice in South Korea is sold for approximately 3,000 to 4,700 yen, depending on the variety, as noted in the transcript.

Why are Japanese tourists buying rice in South Korea?

Japanese tourists are buying rice in South Korea because it is cheaper compared to the rice available in Japan, even after currency exchange and other factors.

What is the price of rice influencing in Japan?

The rising price of rice is affecting children's meals, including both their school lunches and family meals. It is becoming a significant concern for food banks and community programs providing meals to children.

What does the children’s cafeteria in Arakawa Ward offer, and how much does it cost?

The children’s cafeteria in Arakawa Ward provides meals for students ranging from elementary to high school at a cost of 100 yen per meal.

What was the menu for dinner at the children’s cafeteria on that day?

The dinner menu at the children’s cafeteria was Bibimbap, which was very popular among the children.

What impact has the price increase of rice had on food banks in Japan?

The price increase of rice has caused food banks, such as the one supporting the Arakawa Ward children's cafeteria, to stop providing rice due to its higher costs. This has led to an urgent need for alternative food sources.

What are the potential changes being considered for children’s meals due to the rice shortage?

In response to the rice shortage, there is consideration of switching to alternative foods like noodles, which may replace rice in future meals.

How has the rice shortage affected school lunches in Japan?

In Osaka, schools have reduced the frequency of rice being served in school lunches, cutting down from three times a week to twice a week, as a result of the rice price increases.

What is the concern about the future of school lunches due to rice shortages?

There is a growing concern that the rice shortage could force schools to further reduce the number of days rice is served in lunches, potentially limiting it to once a week or less, creating a difficult situation for schools and students.