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As Japan swelters, farmers turn to new heat-resistant rice varieties to boost staple crop

The Guardian Environment Wednesday 23 September 2026, 03:23 UTC By Justin McCurry in Shiroishi 1 min read
Key Points

New rice varieties give hope that farmers can overcome the climate emergency and a warmer future that threatens harvestsWhen schoolchildren in Shiroishi were enlisted to plant rice seedlings in June, Shinto priests blessed the land and asked the deities for a bountiful crop. Judging by the fields behind farmer Haruki Kawasaki, their prayers have been answered. The 63-year-old is preparing to harvest this year’s crop of hinatamaru, a variety of rice whose plump grains have thrived despite...

New rice varieties give hope that farmers can overcome the climate emergency and a warmer future that threatens harvests

When schoolchildren in Shiroishi were enlisted to plant rice seedlings in June, Shinto priests blessed the land and asked the deities for a bountiful crop. Judging by the fields behind farmer Haruki Kawasaki, their prayers have been answered.

The 63-year-old is preparing to harvest this year’s crop of hinatamaru, a variety of rice whose plump grains have thrived despite exposure to another hot and dry summer, conditions that typically punish rice yields.

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Japan (LOCATION) Shiroishi (LOCATION) Shinto (ORG) Haruki Kawasaki (PERSON)
Originally published by The Guardian Environment Read original →

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