Le Moo owner opens Sake A Go Go in NuLu
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An overall look at the front bar at Sake A Go Go, the new Japanese-themed restaurant from Kevin Grangier and the Belle Noble Entertainment Group. Expand to read more
Christopher Fryer
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Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Rice prices Japan's hot political issue, on and off the farm
All is calm at Satoshi Yamazaki's rice farm, with its freshly planted rows of vivid-green seedlings, but a row over the cost of the staple in Japan is threatening to deal the government a blow at the ballot box. Shortages of the grain caused by a supply chain snarl-up have seen prices almost double in a year, fuelling frustration over inflation -- and voters could let their anger be known in upper house elections due next month. To help ease the pain for consumers and restaurants, the government started tapping emergency stockpiles in March, having only previously done so during disasters. Yamazaki, who grows about 10 percent of his rice organically using ducks to eat pests, said he understands high prices are "troubling" for ordinary people. But he stressed that thin profits are a concern for many of those who produce it. "There's a gap between shop prices and what farmers sell rice for to traders and the like," he told AFP in the northern Niigata region. "Not all the money paid at shops becomes our income," said Yamazaki, a 42-year-old father of seven. A mosaic of factors lies behind the shortages, including an intensely hot and dry summer two years ago that damaged harvests nationwide. Since then some traders have been hoarding rice in a bid to boost their profits down the line, experts say. The issue was made worse by panic-buying last year prompted by a government warning about a potential "megaquake" that did not strike. - 'Old' rice - Meanwhile, the rising price of imported food has boosted the popularity of domestic rice, while record numbers of tourists are also blamed for a spike in consumption. Farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi has pledged to cut prices quicker by selling stockpiled rice directly to retailers -- attracting long queues to some shops. It appears to be working: the average retail price has edged down for a second week to 4,223 yen ($29) for five kilograms (11 pounds), down from a high of 4,285 yen in May. That hasn't stopped opposition politicians -- with an eye on the elections -- and online critics branding the reserve rice "old", with some likening it to animal feed. But analysts also blame Japan's decades-old policy of cutting rice-farming land. The policy was introduced to support prices that were being hit by falling demand brought about by changes in the Japanese diet. Under the 1971 policy, farmers were told to reduce the amount of space used to grow the grain in favour of other crops. That saw the amount of land used for rice paddies -- not including for livestock feed -- plunge below 1.4 million hectares (3.5 million acres) in 2024, from a peak of 3.3 million hectares in 1960. While the policy was officially abolished in 2018, it has continued in a form of incentives pushing farmers towards other commodities like soybeans. Adding to the crisis is Japan's ageing population. Many rice farmers are old and their children have no interest in taking over. Eighty percent of rice farmers are part-time with less than two hectares of fields but they account for only 20 percent of production, said agronomy expert Kazunuki Oizumi, professor emeritus of Miyagi University. Their main revenue comes from other jobs or pensions, he added. - Agriculture 'destroyed' - Toru Wakui, chairman of a large-scale farm in the northern Akita region who has for decades fought against the acreage reduction, said Japan should "seek an increase in rice production and exports to foreign markets". "If you only think about the domestic market while increasing output, of course prices will fall," he told AFP. "We need to look for markets abroad." "The 55 years of acreage reduction destroyed Japan's agriculture," said Wakui, 76, who urged Koizumi in a letter last month to "declare an expansion in rice production". He also said Japan should consider a scheme to help young people start agriculture businesses without the burden of initial investment in fields and machinery, by involving other sectors including banks and trading companies. Public support for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's government has tumbled to its lowest level since he took office in October, which local media say was partly caused by the surge in inflation and soaring rice costs. He has told parliament that increasing production is "an option" to temper prices, but said food security and the livelihood of producers was also important. For the farmer Yamazaki, "wanting cheap rice with high quality" is a pipe dream. "We farmers are a little baffled by the limelight that suddenly shifted to us," he said. "But I think it's a good opportunity for the public to think about how rice is produced." kh/kaf/dan
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Rice prices Japan's hot political issue, on and off the farm
All is calm at Satoshi Yamazaki's rice farm, with its freshly planted rows of vivid-green seedlings, but a row over the cost of the staple in Japan is threatening to deal the government a blow at the ballot box. Shortages of the grain caused by a supply chain snarl-up have seen prices almost double in a year, fuelling frustration over inflation -- and voters could let their anger be known in upper house elections due next month. To help ease the pain for consumers and restaurants, the government started tapping emergency stockpiles in March, having only previously done so during disasters. Yamazaki, who grows about 10 percent of his rice organically using ducks to eat pests, said he understands high prices are "troubling" for ordinary people. But he stressed that thin profits are a concern for many of those who produce it. "There's a gap between shop prices and what farmers sell rice for to traders and the like," he told AFP in the northern Niigata region. "Not all the money paid at shops becomes our income," said Yamazaki, a 42-year-old father of seven. A mosaic of factors lies behind the shortages, including an intensely hot and dry summer two years ago that damaged harvests nationwide. Since then some traders have been hoarding rice in a bid to boost their profits down the line, experts say. The issue was made worse by panic-buying last year prompted by a government warning about a potential "megaquake" that did not strike. - 'Old' rice - Meanwhile, the rising price of imported food has boosted the popularity of domestic rice, while record numbers of tourists are also blamed for a spike in consumption. Farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi has pledged to cut prices quicker by selling stockpiled rice directly to retailers -- attracting long queues to some shops. It appears to be working: the average retail price has edged down for a second week to 4,223 yen ($29) for five kilograms (11 pounds), down from a high of 4,285 yen in May. That hasn't stopped opposition politicians -- with an eye on the elections -- and online critics branding the reserve rice "old", with some likening it to animal feed. But analysts also blame Japan's decades-old policy of cutting rice-farming land. The policy was introduced to support prices that were being hit by falling demand brought about by changes in the Japanese diet. Under the 1971 policy, farmers were told to reduce the amount of space used to grow the grain in favour of other crops. That saw the amount of land used for rice paddies -- not including for livestock feed -- plunge below 1.4 million hectares (3.5 million acres) in 2024, from a peak of 3.3 million hectares in 1960. While the policy was officially abolished in 2018, it has continued in a form of incentives pushing farmers towards other commodities like soybeans. Adding to the crisis is Japan's ageing population. Many rice farmers are old and their children have no interest in taking over. Eighty percent of rice farmers are part-time with less than two hectares of fields but they account for only 20 percent of production, said agronomy expert Kazunuki Oizumi, professor emeritus of Miyagi University. Their main revenue comes from other jobs or pensions, he added. - Agriculture 'destroyed' - Toru Wakui, chairman of a large-scale farm in the northern Akita region who has for decades fought against the acreage reduction, said Japan should "seek an increase in rice production and exports to foreign markets". "If you only think about the domestic market while increasing output, of course prices will fall," he told AFP. "We need to look for markets abroad." "The 55 years of acreage reduction destroyed Japan's agriculture," said Wakui, 76, who urged Koizumi in a letter last month to "declare an expansion in rice production". He also said Japan should consider a scheme to help young people start agriculture businesses without the burden of initial investment in fields and machinery, by involving other sectors including banks and trading companies. Public support for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's government has tumbled to its lowest level since he took office in October, which local media say was partly caused by the surge in inflation and soaring rice costs. He has told parliament that increasing production is "an option" to temper prices, but said food security and the livelihood of producers was also important. For the farmer Yamazaki, "wanting cheap rice with high quality" is a pipe dream. "We farmers are a little baffled by the limelight that suddenly shifted to us," he said. "But I think it's a good opportunity for the public to think about how rice is produced." kh/kaf/dan Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Miami Herald
5 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Nissan Drops Can't-Miss Leaf Lease Deal for June
The Nissan Leaf was one of the first of its kind, and while it hasn't quite kept up with its latest competitors in terms of tech, it does manage to undercut many of them in price. The 2025 Leaf is one of the few EVs available for under $30,000, making it one of the most affordable models around. With Nissan's latest June lease deal, you can get into a new Leaf for as little as $179 per month, depending on location. That specific lease deal spans a 36-month term and requires a $2,599 down payment. The 2025 Nissan Leaf doesn't exactly stand out from the crowd. In fact, with its simplistic styling, one could argue it was purposefully designed to blend in. The Japanese EV carries over with no major changes for the 2025 model year, and Nissan has already confirmed that the current Leaf will be leaving soon. Notably, however, the automaker plans to revive the nameplate in the future, but there's no set timeline on that just yet. The Nissan Leaf is available in two trim levels, with battery size being the primary difference between the two. The base S trim comes with a 40 kWh battery capable of powering the all-electric hatchback for up to 149 miles. While that might give some commuters range anxiety, those only traveling a handful of miles - or through tight city streets - might find the Leaf fits their needs to a T. The SV Plus features a 60 kWh battery that boosts range to 212 miles. While you won't get the latest tech and premium comfort amenities, the budget-friendly Leaf does feature a few highlights worth noting. An eight-inch touchscreen display comes standard, complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Both trim levels feature four USB ports, along with a seven-inch LCD instrument cluster. In terms of space, the Nissan Leaf boasts up to 23.6 cu ft. of cargo space with the rear seats in their upright position. If you want an EV geared toward comfort, the SV Plus comes with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, among other niceties. As far as performance goes, the Nissan Leaf is a compact EV that's ideal for urban travel. Front-wheel drive comes standard, and there's no all-wheel drive upgrade available. The Leaf's electric powertrain is capable of producing a respectable 147 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque when paired with the 40 kWh battery. Upgrading to the 60 kWh battery increases performance to a sportier 214 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. Nissan has never been one to play favorites, and, for the most part, that remains true regarding Leaf lease deals. Most of the United States sees the same lease offer on a new Leaf S with a 40 kWh battery: $289 per month with $2,239 due at signing. That deal is valid for most major hubs, including Seattle, Detroit, Miami, and Los Angeles, as well as Honolulu and Anchorage. Residents of New York City can get that same Leaf model for $269 per month, with a $2,249 down payment. Denver residents seem to get the best lease deal, though, with a $179 monthly payment and $2,599 due at signing. All lease offers run through June 30th, are based on a 36-month term, and include a 10,000-mile allowance. No one is arguing that the Nissan Leaf is the best of the best, but if you want a brand-new EV at an affordable price, there's no beating it. With a starting price of $28,140, the 2025 Leaf undercuts most, if not all, other EVs on the market. Add in Nissan's rather enticing June lease deal, especially for those living in the Denver area, and a new Leaf just looks better and better. Don't forget that time is a factor here, so if you want to get into a new Leaf, act before the end of June! Lease offers may vary based on region, market conditions, vehicle configuration, and are subject to credit approval. Advertised monthly payments may not include taxes, title, registration, or other fees. To learn more about this 2025 Nissan Leaf lease offer, visit the official Nissan website and enter your zip code. Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
