Latest news with #Koshihikari
Asahi Shimbun
3 days ago
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Long lines for cheap stockpiled rice sold directly to retail firms
Stockpiled rice sold by the government directly to retail companies hit store shelves on May 31 and long lines of customers were waiting to buy the cheaper grain. Supplies quickly sold out. Ito-Yokado Co.'s supermarket in Tokyo's Omori district was one of those outlets. About 250 customers had lined up an hour or so before the supermarket opened at 10 a.m. The first person in line, a man in his 40s, said he came to the outlet at 5:30 a.m. He said he wanted to buy rice as cheaply as possible as it was an irreplaceable menu item. Two outlets operated by the Iris Ohyama Inc. group also began selling the rice bought directly from the government. Other major supermarkets were preparing to sell the rice at their outlets from June 1 and beyond. Faced with mounting criticism that the government had failed to curb a spike in rice prices, Shinjiro Koizumi, the farm minister, switched the distribution of stockpiled rice from auctions to direct sales to retail companies. He said his aim was to provide 5-kilogram bags of rice for around 2,000 yen ($14). According to the farm ministry, a total of 300,000 tons of rice harvested in the 2021-22 season will be directly sold to 61 retail companies that have signed contracts to purchase the rice and passed the evaluation screening. On May 30, the ministry released figures which showed a slight improvement in the pace of stockpiled rice distributed through auctions reaching retail outlets. It said 27,369 tons of rice distributed through auctions in March had reached retailers by May 11. The figure represents 12.9 percent of the total amount of rice released through auctions that month. The figure was an improvement over the 7.1 percent from the April 27 study by the ministry. But the release of stockpiled rice through auctions does not appear to have had the desired effect: lower rice prices. The internal affairs ministry on May 30 released its statistics for rice prices in the 23 wards of Tokyo which showed 5 kg of the Koshihikari brand selling for 4,970 yen, 200 yen more than the previous week. That marked the 13th straight week of an increase in rice prices. (This article was compiled from reports by Masashi Kisanuki, Ryo Oyama, Takumi Wakai, Hisashi Naito and Sho Ito.)
Asahi Shimbun
5 days ago
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Japan-grown or imported? Four bowls, four varieties of rice
Reporters tasted four types of rice in Hiroshima on May 27. (Satoru Aikawa) As imported rice becomes a popular alternative to Japanese mainstays whose prices continue to rise, it begs the question—do these overseas varieties taste different from what households are used to? Before the flavor assessment, cost efficiency still appears to be the biggest difference consumers care about most. Imported rice continues to sell well despite its cost also creeping higher as demand shifts. An Asahi Shimbun reporter who visited local supermarket chain Fresta's Yokokawa store in Hiroshima observed a wide selection of domestically produced rice at around 5,000 yen ($32) for a 5-kilogram bag. Comparatively, the 5-kg bags of the government's stockpiled rice blended with different harvests were priced at 3,480 yen, excluding tax, and 4-kg bags of Taiwanese rice cost 3,180 yen. Both were out of stock. The amount of stockpiled rice that had made it to the store was so small that it sold out a few days after being put on shelves. The Taiwanese rice sold out after about a week, and other retailers reported they had sold out of their stock from Taiwan and rice imported from the United States. However, do these alternatives taste the same as brands grown domestically? Eight Asahi Shimbun reporters compared several types of rice sold at supermarkets. Served at the blind taste test were Taiwanese; American (specifically, the Calrose variety); Japanese 'Koshihikari" from Hiroshima Prefecture; and a bag of the government's blended stockpile. Excluding tax, comparing them by price per kilogram resulted in the blended rice at 718 yen being the most affordable option. It was followed by 795 yen for American rice, 823 yen for Taiwanese rice and 1,140 yen for Koshihikari. All the rice was indistinguishable in terms of appearance and aroma once cooked. The reporters said all tasted good overall, with two of the eight taste testers mistaking foreign varieties for Japanese ones. One 22-year-old reporter noted the Calrose rice was less sticky and grains separated more easily compared to the bowl of Taiwanese rice, which was stickier and sweeter. He didn't notice the difference between the government rice reserves and this year's Japanese rice brand harvest that he usually has at home. Nothing tasted off so in the end he couldn't assign specific rankings. Another reporter, 43, believed her favorite of the bunch was Koshihikari, but it turned out to be Calrose. The same occurred for a 23-year-old reporter who mistook Taiwanese rice as domestically grown when picking which bowl tasted best, saying "I think this is the Japanese rice because it is chewy and sweet." Six of the eight reporters correctly identified the Japanese rice from the samples, with one keen-eyed participant saying the grains in the imported rice served varied in size. Another 24-year-old reporter was even able to guess all four types. 'All tasted good. But the Calrose rice had low moisture and sweetness, and the Taiwanese rice was similar. In comparison, the Koshihikari brand rice was softer than what I usually eat at home,' she said. DISH PAIRINGS & PREPARATION Rie Shibuya, 47, a rice retailer who has the "five-star rice meister" certification in evaluating the ancient staple, recommends taking advantage of each type's characteristics. She said that Calrose's light flavor is good for curry or beef bowls, while Taiwanese rice's stronger flavor pairs better with oilier dishes. 'Due to the soaring Japanese rice prices, rice from various places is available at supermarkets. I hope people take this opportunity and enjoy the difference by using them in the most suitable ways,' Shibuya said. Shoji Sowa, 45, an employee at food processing equipment manufacturer Satake Corp. based in Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, shared tips for preparing the four types. 'When cooking Taiwanese rice, use 1.2 times as much water as you would for Japanese rice," said Sowa. "For Calrose rice, use 1.5 times as much water. Then, they will taste more similar to Japanese brands.' LASTING COMPETITION? According to the announcement from the farm ministry made on May 26, rice retail prices at about 1,000 supermarkets nationwide between May 12 and 18 for 5-kilogram bags were 4,285 yen on average, including tax. These bags cost double that of what was sold during the same season of the previous year. While prices are expected to fall thanks to the government-retailer contracts that allow for direct sale of rice reserves, some groups still worry consumers are moving away from domestically grown rice for good. Among them is the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations. "We've never seen this much stock of imported rice brands put on supermarket shelves," said an official of JA Zen-Noh Hiroshima. 'We are concerned that customers will turn away from domestic rice and choose imported options in the future.' A rice farmer in Sera, Hiroshima Prefecture, believes excellence is the solution, saying, "We must develop rice with significantly superior qualities compared to overseas products, ensuring consumers will choose ours even if it costs more.'
The Mainichi
5 days ago
- Business
- The Mainichi
Japan farm minister irked by opposition head describing stockpiled rice as animal feed
TOKYO -- Japan's agriculture minister complained that an opposition party leader described stockpiled rice as "something that will become animal feed after one year" at the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on May 28. In asking a question to agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi at the committee meeting, Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki remarked that "the government says it will sell the rice, which will used to feed animals after a year, at a lower price. Of course, it will be sold at a low price." He also explained that there is strong demand to buy branded rice such as Koshihikari at lower prices, and commented, "Stockpiled rice does not meet real needs." Koizumi told reporters, "Even if that's the reality, it's a bit disappointing to hear such remarks at a time when we are working on how to release stockpiled rice." According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website, stockpiled rice is sold as feed rice and for other uses after about five years of storage.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Rice has become a major crisis point for the Japanese government and people — here's what's happening
Japan is having a 'rice crisis' because the price of rice has almost doubled in one year. In April, the price of rice went up 98.4% compared to last year. In March, it had already gone up by 92.5% year-on-year, as per Government data. The price hike is hurting normal people's budgets and making Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his Liberal Democratic Party less popular. Even emergency actions, like using rice from government stock, didn't help bring the prices down. Popular Koshihikari rice is now selling for 5,000 yen for 5 kg. Other types of rice are being sold at 4,200 yen, as per Japanese media. PM Ishiba said in Parliament, 'We don't know why we haven't been able to push prices lower' and that the government will now try to find out how much rice is left and where it is. According to the report by Al Jazeera, Tim Harcourt, chief economist at UTS, said there are 3 main reasons for high prices, panic buying after online rumours about a huge earthquake, wheat shortage from the Russia-Ukraine war, so people are using rice instead, more tourists in Japan and a busy hospitality industry, both raising rice demand. A very hot summer in 2023 also damaged rice crops and reduced farm output. Now, some restaurants and people are choosing cheaper imported rice instead of local rice. If this continues, it could hurt the minority government of PM Ishiba even more before the elections later this year. Live Events Harcourt told Al Jazeera that since rice is Japan's most loved food, any problem with its price quickly turns into a political issue. A new poll shows the PM's approval rating dropped to 27.4% in May, down 5% from April. Agriculture Minister Taku Eto had to resign because he said he never had to buy rice since he gets so many rice gifts from supporters. His comment was seen as insensitive, especially when people are struggling with high prices. The new Minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, said he will try to bring rice prices down to 3,000 yen for 5 kg. Japan's core inflation rate in April was 3.5%, the fastest in over two Bank of Japan says prices for everyday items were 3.5% higher in April compared to the same time last year. Food prices alone went up 7% in April. In March, they had already risen by 6.2%. Japan used to have very low inflation, but COVID-19 and the Ukraine war changed that in 2022. Labour shortages have made the problem worse. FAQs Q1. Why is rice expensive in Japan now? Because of low supply, more demand, and weather problems. Q2. What did Japan's PM say about rice prices? He said the government is still trying to find out why prices are not going down. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Gulf Today
25-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Japan PM in a spot as rice prices soar
There is a crisis in Japan which has a political fallout, which could shake the minority government of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The crisis has to do with the rising price of rice, which is the staple food of the Japanese, like it is in most East Asian countries. The prices have risen more than 90 per cent in a year. The popular brand, Koshihikari, is now costing 5,000 yen for 5 kg or $35. Other varieties of rice are costing 4,200 yen or $29 for 5 kg. The Ishiba government had handled the situation rather clumsily. Prime Minister Ishiba told parliament, 'We don't know why we haven't been able to push prices lower. We first will figure out exactly how much rice there is and where it is.' Agricultural Minister Taku Eto had to resign because he said that he 'never had to buy rice' because many of his supporters gifted rice. The government had tried to sell rice from its stocks but the price of rice did not stabilise. It is clear that the rising price of rice is due to shortages, probably caused due to an excessively hot summer and poor harvest in 2023. The new agriculture minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, said that he would try to bring down the price of rice to 3000 yen for 5 kg or $20. The demand for rice has grown because most restaurants lay out rice as a special dish for the tourists, and even as the tourist footfalls grow, the demand for rice goes up, and when there is not enough rice in the marker, then the prices shoot up. It has been observed that restaurants are buying rice from other countries to make up for the shortage of the home-grown variety, and that this will hurt the demand for the homegrown variety of rice. In many ways, it is a no-win situation. There is need then for the Japanese government and experts to assess the situation, and take the necessary precaution to handle the exigencies arising from fluctuating rice yields. The excessive summer heat cannot be considered an isolated instance of extreme weather. Rising temperatures are a worldwide phenomenon pointing to the climate change crisis in general, and to the unmitigated emissions of greenhouse gas emissions. Though its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is not high compared to the CO2 emissions of the industry, energy and transport sectors because of the fossil-fuel based economy, the methane emissions from the farm sector are a matter of concern as well. So, there is this extra factor that the policymakers will have to take into consideration when discussing rice production. Rice in Japan has also been a protected crop, and the outsiders have been pressing Japan to open up the agriculture sector to imports. With the Japanese restaurateurs opting for imported rice during a crunch like the present one, then it will open up the floodgates as it were. Japan has been a mainly export-centric closed economy, with its own system of patronage linkages. The delicate balance that has been maintained with much skill faces real challenge. It does not come from the trade system but from the surprising corner of climate change. Drought can be episodic and cyclical even. But climate change and rising temperatures would be increasing on the linear scale. It requires a different kind of response. The Japanese have been fiercely secluded in spite of becoming a major industrial power in the world. They do not compromise on their cultural mores. And rice is part of the Japanese culture. It is not just about consumption of food. It is this cultural dimension of the rice story in Japan that makes the economics of rice a complicated issue.
