Today's Close-Up

Coronavirus Crisis: Changes to Japan's Food Supply (2020x24)

Air date: May 30, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has put Japan's farmers and fishermen in a tight spot. School closures have put a temporary stop to children's lunches, and travel restrictions have affected demand. The result is that many food producers have to throw out fresh stock. On the other hand, some farmers are struggling with harvests because the foreign technical trainees they rely on are unable to enter the country. Japan's food self-sufficiency rate is below 40%. Given there's no end in sight for the pandemic, how can Japan ensure food security?