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Moreover, cultural shifts away from traditional staples, such as rice, further complicate Japan’s agricultural landscape. As dietary preferences increasingly favor Western food items, a decrease in domestic rice consumption exacerbates the reliance on imported food, contributing to a pressing agricultural crisis.
The Security Implications of Agricultural Dependency
Japan's vulnerability stems not only from its aging farming population and low self-sufficiency but also from its geopolitical circumstances. Surrounded by rivals—China, North Korea, and Russia—the nation finds itself in a precarious position. Historical pacifism, enshrined in its untouched post-war constitution, has left Japan at a strategic disadvantage when faced with potential threats to its food and energy supplies.