Planting of rice begins on Ishigaki Island – the earliest in Japan

Planting of rice begins on Ishigaki Island - the earliest in Japan

Japan’s earliest planting of rice. On January 15, in Ishigaki, Atsushi Nakaarashiro operates a rice-transplanter.


January 17, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On January 15, the planting of rice commenced on Ishigaki Island, which is known as the top rice producing area in Okinawa. This is the earliest planting of rice anywhere in Japan. Atsushi Nakaarashiro a 75 year-old rice grower who produces koshihikari began planting at a place called Hiratabaru, the only paddy field area in Ishigaki. This year’s planting commenced a week or so later than usual due to the slow growth of seedlings because of the lack of sunshine since last November. Harvest is scheduled to occur in mid-May.

Nakaarashiro said, “We do our best to look after our paddy fields. We would like to bring rice to consumers that they can eat without any concerns.”

(English translation by T&CT, Mark Ealey)

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