Japan faces a severe shortage of potato chips following a poor yield of potatoes. Unfavorable weather conditions have reduced potato crops, affecting the production of popular snacks. Nationwide, stores struggle to meet the demand for potato chips, resulting in higher prices and creative substitutions. This shortage underscores the vulnerability of Japan's food supply chain to climate anomalies.

Potato chips are a popular snack in Japan, and any disruption in their availability tends to affect the everyday consumer to a large extent. The shortage also raises issues about Japan's food self-sufficiency and prompts discussions on increasing domestic agricultural production or diversifying import sources.

In the US or EU, similar crop shortages usually mean increased imports or internal shifts in production. Such regions have a broader base of suppliers and alternatives available. This potato issue emphasizes Japan's relative lack of production diversity and reliance on weather-sensitive domestic crops.