Japan hit with butter shortage

TOKYO, May 18 (UPI) -- Many Japanese grocery store owners say they are being forced to discontinue butter sales as the dairy product is in short supply across the Asian nation.

The majority of Japanese supermarkets have had to forgo selling butter altogether as weekly shipments dwindle throughout the country, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.

"We've had to come up with some new items that use less butter, like cookies. But you're talking about flavor. How can you replace butter?" said Seiko Nakano, 27, the operator of Levain, a French bakery in Tokyo.

It is reported a 2-year decline in Japan's milk production is partially blamed for the lack of butter.

Japan's butter shortage is a small problem compared to the food crisis sweeping many parts of Africa and Southeast Asia as the costs of basic goods go through the roof, the Times said.