Expert sees little effect on rice prices from release of reserves
The agriculture ministry started distribution to retailers nationwide through fixed contracts. An expert says this may not be enough to bring down sky-high prices.
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NHK
5 hours ago
- NHK
Japan agriculture minister says transparency needed in rice trade
Japan's agriculture minister is reviewing the country's rice distribution system as part of efforts to try and reduce the surge in prices of the staple food. One retailer has said the supply chain is part of the problem because it is crowded with too many companies. President Yoshida Naoki of the Don Quijote outlets has made the argument in a letter to Agriculture Minister Koizumi Shinjiro. Yoshida says the national agricultural co-operatives, known as the JA Group, collect most of the crop and control the supply chain. He says the JA Group sells the rice to a limited number of wholesalers and it then goes through multiple tiers of other brokers that add a profit margin. He argues that this process cranks up the price by the time it reaches stores. "The rice supply and distribution system is far outdated," said Yoshida. "This needs to be recognized as the first step in addressing the problem." Koizumi told reporters on Sunday that Yoshida's views need to be considered to identify what has caused rice prices to double in the past year. "Rice distribution should become more transparent," he said. "That's one of the issues the government has to discuss." Koizumi says the ministry will review the supply chain system for further discussion by the government.
NHK
12 hours ago
- NHK
Japan government stockpiled rice reaches consumers
The Japanese government's stockpiles of rice that are sold directly to retail firms are now on sale at retail outlets. Attention is focused on whether the widespread sale of the stockpiles will help bring down rice prices. Amid the soaring price of rice that has been hitting households, the Japanese government began releasing its stockpiles through direct contracts. A total of 300,000 tons of stockpiled rice harvested in 2021 and 2022 are on sale through no-bid contracts. 5-kilogram bags of rice on sale at around 2,000 yen, or about 14 dollars, were spotted at some stores on Sunday. A number of people are visiting supermarkets and other outlets to buy stockpiled rice. On Sunday, Agriculture Minister Koizumi Shinjiro says he thinks the release of stockpiled rice may help lower all rice prices to some extent. The agriculture ministry is also accepting applications from small and mid-sized retailers to buy government-stockpiled rice from Friday. A total of 80,000 tons harvested in 2021 are up for sale through no-bid contracts. The ministry says it has already received about 1,300 applications. It says it will temporarily stop accepting applications from rice retailers on Monday afternoon, saying applications might account for all the rice set to be released.
Japan Times
a day ago
- Japan Times
Japan looking to draft fire warning guidelines
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency is planning to introduce guidelines for municipalities to issue fire warnings to restrict its use by residents when risk gets higher due to dry conditions and strong winds. Such warnings are designed to prevent fire from occurring or spreading, but there are no nationwide standards. It is common for municipalities to use factors, such as the humidity level and maximum wind speed, for the issuance. Yet in many cases, the authorities don't issue them, since these weather conditions don't meet their criteria. Given that Japan has seen more wildfires because of careless handling of fire, the agency is looking to present approaches and procedures for the issuance under its panel by summer. When a fire warning is issued, fire activities including controlled burns and bonfires are restricted. Those who violate the rules are subject to a fine of up to ¥300,000 or detention. According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, only six cities issued fire warnings in the five-year period until 2024. Even when a massive forest fire broke out in the city of Ofunato in Iwate Prefecture in February, the fire warning was not issued. On top of not meeting weather criteria, municipalities tend to be hesitant to issue a warning because limiting the use of fire could affect local agriculture and people's lives. Considering this, the agency aims to outline guidelines that municipalities can use to set wind speed and humidity standards based on local conditions as well as non-weather factors when making decisions. This way, they can issue warnings in a timely manner. The agency is also thinking about reviewing areas covered by the fire warning. Currently, it is designed to cover whole cities, villages and towns, but the agency is considering allowing municipalities to issue for specific areas within them. Efforts to inform residents and tourists will be strengthened as well. Translated by The Japan Times
