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In today\u2019s developed economies, lining up to buy a staple grain may seem like a thing of the past. But in Japan, it\u2019s become a stark reality as a rice shortage sends prices soaring.<\/p>\n
A 5 kilogram (11 pound) bag of rice cost 4,280 yen ($29) in May 2025 \u2014 double the price from a year earlier, according to Bloomberg.<\/p>\n
The surge stems from a supply crunch dating back to 2023, when a severe heat wave hit Japan\u2019s rice harvest. The extreme temperatures not only lowered the quality of the crop but also caused a sharp decline in overall production.<\/p>\n
In response, the government has begun releasing rice from its stockpiles. Long lines now form hours before stores open to buy stockpiled rice, with The Japan Times reporting some customers start queuing as early as 8 p.m. the night before.<\/p>\n
According to Nikkei Asia, shelves in Tokyo have been \u201cfrequently empty\u201d as of early July, with supermarkets rationing sales to one bag of rice per family per day.<\/p>\n
Nobuhiko Kurosawa, a rice farmer in Yamagata, is worried about what could happen next.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Japanese government has already released most of its rice reserves, so if this summer turns out to be as hot as the year before last, it could be disastrous,\u201d he told Nikkei Asia. \u201cIf we have no reserves left and the quality of the rice has deteriorated due to the extreme heat, Japan may have to import a considerable amount. The food problem is not [just] a problem for farmers, but a problem for everyone who eats.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Japan\u2019s rice crisis is especially severe, it\u2019s also part of a broader trend: Food prices around the world have been steadily climbing. From staples like grains and cooking oil to fresh produce and meat, inflation has put pressure on household budgets everywhere \u2014 not just in Japan.<\/p>\n
In the U.S., the Consumer Price Index has increased 25% over the last five years, with the food index surging 26%. The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects food prices to rise another 2.9% in 2025.<\/p>\n
But there are steps consumers and investors can consider to help protect their purchasing power as the cost of living rises.<\/p>\n
Real estate has long been considered a reliable hedge against inflation, thanks to its intrinsic value and income-generating potential.<\/p>\n
When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts for inflation.<\/p>\n
Legendary investor Warren Buffett has often pointed to real estate as a prime example of a productive, income-generating asset.<\/p>\n
In 2022, Buffett stated that if you offered him \u201c1% of all the apartment houses in the country\u201d for $25 billion, he would \u201cwrite you a check.\u201d<\/p>\n
Why? Because no matter what\u2019s happening in the broader economy, people still need a place to live and apartments can consistently produce rent money.<\/p>\n
Traditionally, investing in real estate meant buying property and becoming a landlord. New investing platforms are making it easier than ever to tap into the real estate market.<\/p>\n
For accredited investors, Homeshares<\/a> gives access to the $35 trillion U.S. home equity market, which has historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors.<\/p>\n With a minimum investment of $25,000, investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund \u2014 without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property.<\/p>\n With risk-adjusted target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties<\/a> across regional markets.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not an accredited investor, crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allow you to enter the real estate market for as little as $100.<\/p>\n Arrived offers you access to shares of SEC-qualified investments in rental homes and vacation rentals<\/a>, curated and vetted for their appreciation and income potential.<\/p>\n Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived<\/a> makes it easy to fit these properties into your investment portfolio regardless of your income level. Their flexible investment amounts and simplified process allows accredited and non-accredited investors to take advantage of this inflation-hedging asset class without any extra work on your part.<\/p>\n Read more: Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market \u2014 here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead<\/a><\/p>\n When it comes to preserving wealth and fighting inflation, few assets have stood the test of time like gold.<\/p>\n Its appeal is simple: Unlike fiat currencies, the yellow metal can\u2019t be printed at will by central banks.<\/p>\n Gold is also considered the ultimate safe haven. It\u2019s not tied to any one country, currency or economy, and in times of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, investors often flock to it \u2014 driving prices higher.<\/p>\n Ray Dalio, founder of the world\u2019s largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, recently highlighted gold\u2019s role in a resilient portfolio.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople don’t have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio,\u201d Dalio told CNBC earlier this year. \u201cWhen bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier.\u201d<\/p>\n In just the last 12 months, the price of gold has surged by 39%.<\/p>\n One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of Goldco<\/a>.<\/p>\n Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, which combines the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.<\/p>\n With a minimum purchase of $10,000, Goldco offers free shipping and access to a library of retirement resources. Plus, the company will match up to 10% of qualified purchases in free silver<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious whether this is the right investment to diversify your portfolio, you can download your free gold and silver information guide today<\/a>.<\/p>\n The steady rise in food prices serves as a powerful reminder: No matter what happens in the economy, people still need to eat.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why farmland is considered a natural hedge against inflation. As food prices climb, so does the value of the land that produces it. At the same time, farmland is a tangible, income-generating asset that isn\u2019t directly tied to the ups and downs of financial markets.<\/p>\n According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. farmland values have steadily climbed over the past few decades, driven by increasing demand for food and limited supply of arable land.<\/p>\n These days, you don\u2019t need to buy an entire farm or know how to grow crops to get in on the opportunity.<\/p>\n FarmTogether<\/a> is an all-in-one investment platform that lets qualified investors buy stakes in U.S. farmland<\/a>. The platform identifies high-potential agricultural properties and then partners with experienced local operators to manage the land effectively.<\/p>\n Depending on the type of stake you want, you can get a cut from both the leasing fees and crop sales<\/a>, providing you with cash income. Then, years down the line after the farm rises in value, you can benefit from the land appreciating and profit from its sale.<\/p>\n