Latest news with #Karoyaka
Asahi Shimbun
23-05-2025
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Japan pledges immediate rice relief for consumers to prevent shift to foreign brands
Bags of Calrose rice from California, which Aeon Co. will sell under the Karoyaka brand, are shown in Tokyo on May 13. (Sho Ito) Japan's new agriculture minister pledged on Friday to quickly move rice from government stockpiles to store shelves where they would be offered at prices significantly lower than current levels, seeking to stem a consumer shift to cheaper, foreign brands. Soaring rice prices, due in part to crop damage from extreme heat and additional demand from a boom in tourism, have become a major concern for Japanese consumers as well as the government with upper house elections set for July. The government has been releasing some of its stockpiled rice since March but that has yet to translate to lower supermarket prices. 'The abnormal surge in prices that we're seeing now could accelerate the shift away from domestically produced rice in Japan,' Shinjiro Koizumi told a press conference. 'We're already seeing supermarkets buying directly from the United States despite having to pay tariffs... We have to quash this abnormal situation and speed is of the essence.' Japan has historically been reluctant to encourage imports of rice, seeking self-sufficiency for its most basic food and putting up high tariffs to protect local farmers from competition. Koizumi, the son of former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, took up his post just two days ago. His predecessor, Taku Eto, was forced to resign after angering voters by saying he had never had to buy rice thanks to gifts from supporters. Koizumi said he aimed for stockpiled rice to reach store shelves for under 3,000 yen ($21) per 5 kg by early June. That compares with an average price of 4,268 yen in the seven days to May 11, double the same period a year earlier. Nationwide consumer price index (CPI) data on Friday showed soaring rice prices accelerating overall food inflation to 7.0% in April, from 6.2% in March. Koizumi also met with Rakuten Group CEO Hiroshi Mikitani, who said the online retail giant was prepared to support the government's efforts. Upon taking office, Koizumi immediately terminated the auction method of releasing emergency-use rice and said the government would instead sell via discretionary contracts. The government first released rice from its emergency stock in March through two auctions for 210,000 metric tons, but as of late April, only about 7% had reached retailers due to a complex and time-consuming processing and distribution scheme. Koizumi said the ministry plans to outline a basic framework for how the new process would work next week. Questions remain over how the government would select whom to sell to and at what price. It is planning to release 100,000 tons every month through July.
Yomiuri Shimbun
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Soaring Rice Prices Driving Imports of Cheap Overseas Rice in Japan
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo Karoyaka, a U.S. rice variety to be sold by Aeon Co., is seen in Minato Ward, Tokyo, on May 13. Imported rice is gaining popularity in Japan amid soaring prices of domestic rice, with the retail and restaurant industries using it more regularly. As a staple food, consumers are generally reluctant to compromise on the taste and quality of rice and have a strong preference for domestic varieties. However, the difference in price is putting this to the test. Aeon Co., Japan's largest supermarket operator, will begin selling pure medium-grain Calrose rice produced in California in June. While the company has to pay a tariff of ¥341 per kilogram of imported rice, it will sell a 4-kilogram package of the rice for ¥2,894 including tax, about 10% cheaper than domestic rice. The restaurant industry is following suit, as Matsuya Foods Holdings Co., which operates the Matsuya beef bowl chain, will serve pure U.S. rice at approximately 1,100 of its restaurants, about 80% of its total. Meanwhile, major supermarket chain Seiyu Co. began offering Taiwanese rice in November. It has been so well received by consumers that it was temporarily in short supply. A major factor behind the increased use of foreign rice is the shift in consumer awareness. In a survey conducted in March by the Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union, which received 6,342 valid responses with multiple answers allowed, 77.8% of respondents said 'domestic rice' was the biggest deciding factor when buying rice, while 33.1% said 'low price,' up 1.8 percentage points from the previous survey conducted in October. Wholesalers and trading companies are also increasing imports of overseas rice. Shinmei Co., a major rice wholesaler, plans to import about 20,000 tons of overseas rice by about July, but has already signed contracts for most of this amount. Kanematsu Corp., a general trading company, is considering increasing its rice imports from 10,000 tons per year to 20,000 tons and importing not only U.S. rice but also Taiwanese and Vietnamese rice.
The Mainichi
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: Japanese supermarket Aeon to sell rice from the US
TOKYO -- The Japanese supermarket Aeon Co. will start selling new rice called "Karoyaka" from the U.S. state of California on June 6. They will do this because rice from Japan has become expensive. Aeon will sell 4 kilograms of this U.S. rice for 2,680 yen (about $18.20) before tax. Aeon says many customers need rice that costs less because Japanese rice prices are high right now. The rice is called Calrose. Calrose rice grows in California. Aeon plans to sell it mostly in big cities in Japan. People in cities have more trouble finding enough rice these days. The store plans to sell about 14,000 metric tons of this rice over the summer, when rice often becomes harder to find. Calrose rice is harder than Japanese rice. It is good for foods like fried rice or risotto. Aeon says people cooking Calrose rice should use a little more water than with Japanese rice. Aeon says Calrose rice is not better or worse than Japanese rice. It is just another new kind of rice for customers to choose. Japanese rice prices became very high last summer and stayed high. In April, Aeon also started selling Japanese rice mixed with U.S. rice. Many customers liked this mixed rice. Because the mixed rice sold well, Aeon decided to sell Calrose rice as a new item. Between April 28 and May 4, rice sold at supermarkets in Japan cost an average of 4,214 yen (around $28.60) per 5 kilograms with tax. Aeon's new Calrose rice is a cheaper choice. It will cost about 3,618 yen (around $24.60) per 5 kilograms with tax.
Asahi Shimbun
14-05-2025
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Aeon to market California rice as cheaper option with light texture
Bags of Calrose rice from California, which Aeon Co. will sell under the Karoyaka brand, are shown in Tokyo on May 13. (Sho Ito) Aeon Co. announced plans to sell lower-priced rice imported from California nationwide, a move the U.S. ambassador to Japan called 'historic,' as prices of the nation's staple crop remain double those of last year. 'For Japan's largest supermarket chain to offer 100-percent U.S.-grown Calrose rice in its stores across the country is truly a historic moment,' George Glass said at a launch event held at his official residence in Tokyo on May 13. A 4-kilogram package of Karoyaka brand rice will be available at a tax-inclusive 2,894 yen ($20), about 15 percent cheaper than the nationwide average, Aeon officials said. The company plans to sell about 14,000 tons mainly in urban areas, where rice is in short supply. Sales will start in phases from June 6. Aeon said the Californian rice will offer Japanese households an alternative to short-grain varieties mainly consumed in the country. The medium-grain Calrose, light in texture, goes well with pilaf and risotto dishes, as well as Asian cuisine, officials said. The Karoyaka rice is cheaper than domestic varieties despite a tariff of 341 yen per kilogram. Aeon decided to sell bags of 100-percent U.S. rice following strong sales of its Japanese-U.S. blended rice introduced in April. Japan has protected its rice market by levying a tariff on foreign imports, saying domestic production is crucial for the nation's food security. The United States has long complained about access to Japan's rice market. U.S. President Donald Trump falsely claimed that Tokyo is imposing a 700-percent tariff on U.S. rice after he returned to the White House in January. The government is considering increasing imports of U.S. rice to win concessions from Washington in ongoing negotiations on U.S. tariffs. (This article was written by Sho Ito and Shiki Iwasawa.)
The Mainichi
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Japan retailer Aeon to sell 'Karoyaka' California-grown rice amid high domestic prices
TOKYO -- Major Japanese retailer Aeon Co. announced May 13 it will release a new 100% California-grown rice labeled "Karoyaka" on June 6, responding to consumer demand amid high prices for domestic products. According to Aeon, a 4-kilogram bag will be sold for 2,680 yen (approx. $18.20) before tax. The company's Executive Vice President Mitsuko Tsuchiya stated, "We want to ensure the product reaches those in need even as rice prices remain high." The rice will be made exclusively from the Calrose variety -- a medium-grain Japonica rice grown in the United States. The company plans to focus sales on urban areas, where rice shortages are more pronounced, distributing a total of 14,000 metric tons. Sales are reportedly set to continue for about three months, covering the summer period when supply typically tightens. Calrose is firmer than domestically produced rice, making it well-suited to dishes like fried rice or risotto. For standard steaming, Aeon recommends using 1.2 to 1.5 times more water than for Japanese rice. The retailer aims to position the offering not as a substitute for domestic rice, but as a new choice. Addressing the rice shortages that have continued since last summer, Aeon introduced a separate product in April blending domestic rice with imported U.S. rice, brought in under the "minimum access" (MA) tariff-free quota set by the Japanese government. Following strong demand for this blended product, Aeon decided to import Calrose rice outside the MA quota and develop it into a new product. According to a Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries survey, the nationwide average price of rice sold in supermarkets between April 28 and May 4 was 4,214 yen (roughly $28.60) per 5 kg including tax. While this marked the first decline in 18 weeks, "Karoyaka" will retail for the equivalent of 3,618 yen (around $24.60) per 5 kg including tax, making it a competitively priced option for the time being. U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass commented at the product's unveiling ceremony, "At a time when food prices are a concern for all Japanese, this launch couldn't come at a better time for consumers. Food security is as important as energy security. This announcement reinforces America's role as a reliable and trusted supplier of quality ingredients and food."
