Key Facts
• June 6, 2025: Minister Shinjiro Koizumi addressed rice price stabilization measures.
• Emergency imports considered if reserve rice stocks are depleted.
• Minimum Access (MA) rice imports under international rules may be expedited.
• Koizumi emphasized exploring all options to stabilize rice prices.
• September rice auction schedule may be advanced to address supply issues.
• Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba supported Koizumi’s approach in parliament.
• Ishiba stressed the need for diverse methods to ensure stable rice supply.
• MA rice is already utilized by the food service industry.
• Farmers’ organizations were asked to conduct urgent surveys on shipment destinations.
Summary
Japanese Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced on June 6, 2025, that emergency rice imports could be an option to stabilize prices if reserve stocks are exhausted. He highlighted the potential use of Minimum Access (MA) rice under international trade rules and suggested advancing the September auction schedule to address supply concerns. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba supported Koizumi’s approach, emphasizing the importance of diverse strategies to ensure a stable rice supply. Koizumi also noted that MA rice is already utilized by the food service industry. Additionally, farmers’ organizations were requested to conduct urgent surveys on shipment destinations to better understand the supply chain. These measures aim to address rising concerns over rice price stability in Japan.
