Gov't to release additional 200,000 tons from rice stockpiles

Japan plans to release 200,000 tons of rice from government reserves to combat rising prices, according to farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi.

This will include 100,000 tons each from the 2020 and 2021 harvests, with 2020 rice expected to sell for 1,700 yen per 5 kilograms. Current reserves will drop to around 100,000 tons, raising concerns about emergency supplies. The move will leave the country with a rice reserve of around 100,000 tons, down from about 910,000 tons.