Key Facts
• June 10: Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced the release of 200,000 tons of stockpiled rice.
• Breakdown: 100,000 tons each from 2021 and 2020 harvests; 2020 rice released for the first time.
• Price: 5 kilograms of 2020 rice expected to cost approximately 1,700 yen.
• June 11: Applications for 2021 rice purchases to begin; 2020 rice sales to follow.
• Anti-resale regulations: To be approved via cabinet decision within the week.
• Current stockpile: 910,000 tons reduced to 100,000 tons after recent releases.
• Past releases: 31,000 tons auctioned in March-April; 300,000 tons sold since May.
• Disaster preparedness: 100,000 tons deemed sufficient for emergencies like the 2011 earthquake.
• Price impact: Average rice price dropped to 4,223 yen per 5 kilograms (May 26–June 1).
• Additional support: 24 tons allocated to areas affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake.
Summary
Japan’s Minister of Agriculture, Shinjiro Koizumi, announced plans to release 200,000 tons of government stockpiled rice, including 100,000 tons from 2020, marking its first release. The initiative aims to stabilize rice prices, which have recently dropped to 4,223 yen per 5 kilograms. Anti-resale regulations will be introduced this week to ensure fair distribution. The government has reduced its stockpile from 910,000 tons to 100,000 tons through recent sales, while maintaining sufficient reserves for disaster response. Additionally, 24 tons of rice will be allocated to earthquake-affected areas in the Noto Peninsula. This move reflects the government’s commitment to providing affordable rice to consumers and supporting disaster-stricken regions.
