Key Facts
• June 6: Imported rice, including California-grown Calrose rice, appeared in Fukuoka stores.
• Price: 4 kg of Calrose rice sold for 2,894 yen (tax included).
• Aeon Hokkaido: Sales timing for imported rice is still under adjustment.
• Agriculture Minister Koizumi: Emergency rice imports considered if domestic reserves are depleted.
• Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki: Hokkaido is Japan’s second-largest rice producer.
• Suzuki emphasized the importance of local consumption for stable production.
• Suzuki warned against policy changes that satisfy only producers or consumers.
• Current production adjustment policies aim to prevent price collapse and ensure supply.
• Suzuki called for a system that satisfies all stakeholders to avoid future rice crises.
Summary
As rice prices remain high, imported rice, including California’s Calrose variety, is gaining traction in Japan. On June 6, Fukuoka supermarkets began selling imported rice at 2,894 yen for 4 kg. Aeon Hokkaido has yet to finalize its sales schedule for imported rice. Agriculture Minister Koizumi suggested emergency imports if domestic reserves run out. Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki, representing Japan’s second-largest rice-producing region, stressed the importance of local consumption for stable production. He cautioned against policy changes that favor only producers or consumers, warning of potential price instability and production challenges. Suzuki advocated for a balanced system that satisfies all stakeholders to prevent future rice-related crises.
