Key facts
- Tokyo has endured a record 35 consecutive days of rain.
- The prolonged rainfall has caused a sharp rise in fresh vegetable prices.
- Crop damage and insufficient sunlight have affected produce quality and supply.
- The price of a head of lettuce has more than doubled to ¥450.
- Some retailers may suspend sales of popular seasonal products like roasted sweet potatoes.
Tokyo has been experiencing a record-breaking streak of 35 consecutive days of rain, a phenomenon experts attribute to a combination of climate change and the El Niño weather pattern. This prolonged downpour has significantly impacted the local economy, driving up prices for fresh vegetables due to crop damage and reduced sunlight.
The Japanese capital has seen a dramatic increase in rainfall, with central Tokyo receiving 629mm between September 1 and a recent Monday, nearly three times the average. Sunshine hours have been drastically reduced, contributing to the second-lowest sunshine record for the period. This weather pattern has not only affected agriculture but also cast a shadow over tourism and the well-being of residents, who are experiencing what some are calling 'rain fatigue'.
Media reports indicate that the price of produce, particularly leafy greens like komatsuna, has surged. A head of lettuce, for example, has reportedly more than doubled in price to ¥450. The quality of some vegetables has also deteriorated, with cucumbers becoming unusually thick and short due to insufficient sunlight. Some retailers are now considering halting sales of popular seasonal items like roasted sweet potatoes as supply chains are disrupted.
While the Japan Meteorological Agency noted that autumn rain fronts are lingering longer than usual, an official acknowledged that global warming is affecting Japan's weather long-term, including increased precipitation. The previous record for consecutive rainy days in Tokyo was 33 days in 2019. The current weather situation is compounded by other extreme events, including a recent typhoon that caused flooding and landslides in a neighboring prefecture, and the potential for another typhoon to approach the Kanto region.