Photo/Illutration Tea fields in Kawanehon, Shizuoka Prefecture (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

SHIZUOKA—Long the top tea-growing prefecture in Japan, Shizuoka has been surpassed by Kagoshima, dropping into second place for the first time since record-keeping began in 1959.

For many years, Kagoshima was ranked second in the production of “aracha,” steamed and dried tea leaves that have not yet been processed into finished products.

The prefecture muscled its way into the number one spot last year by producing 27,000 tons of aracha, 3 percent more than it did in 2023, according to farm ministry statistics released on Feb. 18.

Production in Shizuoka fell to 25,800 tons—a 5 percent drop from the year before.

“It is a great pity that our prefecture slipped to second place,” said Shizuoka Governor Yasutomo Suzuki. “We want to work hard with farmers to regain the top spot.”

This decline was mainly attributed to a mid-season production cutback to maintain prices.

Shizuoka’s first harvest was delayed by rain, which led to a drop in quality and prices. Farmers scaled back the second harvest to prevent further price decreases.

The first harvest produced 10,000 tons of aracha--940 tons more than in 2023--but the second produced 15,800 tons, 2,340 tons less.

Meanwhile, the growth of tea leaves remained stable in Kagoshima, farm ministry officials said.

According to the ministry, tea-growing areas in Shizuoka have shrunk 30 percent over the past 10 years or so, while those in Kagoshima have dropped only 5 percent.

Shizuoka prefectural officials cited two factors that make mechanization difficult in the prefecture.

About 60 percent of tea farmers operate on small fields of 1.5 hectares or less and mainly in mountainous areas and on plateaus.

A man who established an agricultural corporation in Shizuoka city more than 20 years ago said it was predictable that the prefecture would eventually surrender its top spot.

He explained that many farmers have stopped growing tea due to a shortage of successors and other key workers.

“It’s unfortunate because Shizuoka Prefecture has billed itself as Japan’s number one in the tea world,” said Norihisa Ito, the executive director of the Chamber of Tea Association of Shizuoka Prefecture, an industry group.

“We will accept the outcome and work with the prefecture and other parties to boost the appeal of Shizuoka tea,” Ito said.

Shizuoka Prefecture plans to focus on exports as the domestic green tea market has been shrinking.

In its draft budget for fiscal 2025, the prefectural government allocated about 450 million yen ($3 million) for tea-related programs, including 220 million yen for bolstering exports.

“It is necessary to expand business to cater to growing overseas demand,” Suzuki said.

One priority will be stepping up the production of “tencha,” tea leaves used for producing matcha, powdered tea, which has been growing in popularity outside Japan.

(This article was written by Yoshiko Aoyama and Miho Tanaka.)

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