Vegetable Supply to Tokyo Disrupted by 2023 and 2024 Summer Heatwaves

Extreme summer heatwaves in 2023 and 2024 severely disrupted the vegetable supply chain to the Tokyo metropolitan area. This study analyzes the impacts of these extreme climate events on urban food supply and market stability, using governmental statistics on wholesale arrival volumes and prices for fifteen major vegetables. Compared with the 2010–2022 baseline, the arrival volumes of carrot, Japanese radish, and tomato fell by 19–27%, while prices rose by 46–82%. The findings highlight how consecutive heatwaves amplified risks to food security and underscore the urgent need for climate-resilient agri-food systems. The study contributes to multidisciplinary research integrating agricultural meteorology, climate-impact assessment, and sustainable food-system management.