Convenience stores in Japan begin selling govt. stockpiled rice
Major convenience store chain operators in Japan have begun selling lower-priced rice released from national reserves. The cheaper grain was obtained from the government under its new system of no-bid contracts.
Lawson and FamilyMart are offering the stockpiled rice in small packages at some of their outlets in Tokyo and Osaka.
Lawson says it is selling small-lot bags to meet the needs of elderly customers and one-person households.
A one-kilogram package costs 360 yen, or about 2 dollars and 50 cents, excluding tax.
A woman in her 50s bought a 2-kilogram bag. "We have tried to eat rice less often," she said. "But I had to buy it anyway despite the high price to make onigiri rice balls for my child. I am lucky I got this bag today."
Agriculture Minister Koizumi Shinjiro visited a FamilyMart store in central Tokyo early on Thursday.
Koizumi said he is thankful that convenience stores acted so quickly to offer rice in ways affordable for many people. He added that he hopes it would help get more stockpiled rice on shelves nationwide.
Seven-Eleven Japan says it will also start sales from June 17.
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