Onigiri, she says, has mass appeal because it’s simple to make, is gluten-free and is versatile. And other Japanese foods like ramen and sushi have found worldwide popularity, she notes.

Dishes like the ingredient-topped donburi and the world-famous sushi are easy to delineate. However, preparations like nigiri ...

One reason for the shortage is the ever-expanding influx of overseas visitors, many of them eager to eat not just sushi, but other increasingly popular rice-based dishes like onigiri rice balls ...

Sushi rice is a type of short-grain sticky rice ... then your rice buns won't be gluten-free. You could also make onigiri, essentially a stuffed rice ball wrapped in nori seaweed.

Starting on Jan. 27, the prices of onigiri rice balls at the stores will jump by up to 28 yen (18 cents), while the cost of bento lunch boxes and sushi will rise by as much as 60 yen beginning on ...