Local gov'ts in Japan providing 'rice aid' in vouchers, real grain, amid high prices
TOKYO -- Local governments in Japan are carrying out "rice aid" programs for residents amid soaring rice prices, mostly using national subsidies designated to address rising costs as resources.
The Hokkaido Prefectural Government will hand out vouchers or digital coupons worth 5,240 yen (about $36) to purchase rice and milk, or distribute 5.5 kilograms of locally produced rice to each of some 390,000 households with children. The prefecture is accepting applications until the end of June.
The city of Kameoka in Kyoto Prefecture will hand out 5 kg of Japanese rice each to all children aged up to 18 in the city (roughly 12,500), as well as coupons worth 8,000 yen (about $56) that can be used at local shops in the city.
The city of Fukui will distribute 5,000-yen (approx. $35) vouchers for locally grown rice to some 24,000 families with children. The amount will be increased to 8,000 yen for single-parent households. The Hitachi Municipal Government in Ibaraki Prefecture will send out 4,400-yen (about $31) rice certificates to around 11,000 families with children.
The Osaka Prefectural Government has been carrying out a program to provide children aged 18 and younger and pregnant women with digital coupons or food items worth 7,000 yen (roughly $49). The prefecture announced in early June that the age bracket will be expanded to include those aged 19 to 22.
Meanwhile, some municipal governments include all residents and households for aid programs.
The city of Chichibu in Saitama Prefecture will distribute rice certificates to all 26,000 households in the city. The amount ranges depending on the number of household members: those with one to three members will receive certificates worth 2,200 yen (approx. $15) and those with four or more 3,080 yen (about $21). The city plans to send them out around late August.
The Toki Municipal Government in Gifu Prefecture will send out 4,400-yen rice vouchers per household to all of the city's roughly 24,700 households, while Ehime Prefecture's city of Imabari will hand out rice certificates worth 2,200 yen each to the city's approximately 147,000 residents.
Many of the local governments are asking their residents not to resell these vouchers online.
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