大涨98.4%！米价领跑日本4月CPI，前首相之子小泉进次郎将如何破局？

Core Viewpoint - The rising rice prices in Japan present significant challenges for the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Shinjiro Koizumi, who aims to stabilize the market and address public concerns about food affordability [1][5]. Price Trends - Japan's consumer price index (CPI) for April showed a 3.5% year-on-year increase, with rice prices soaring by 98.4%, marking the highest increase since 1971 [1][3]. - As of May 11, the average price for a 5-kilogram bag of rice reached 4,268 yen (approximately 212 RMB), double the price from the previous year [3]. Government Response - Prime Minister Kishida has set a target to reduce the price of a 5-kilogram bag of rice to between 3,000 and 4,000 yen (approximately 150 to 200 RMB) [3]. - Koizumi plans to introduce reserve rice priced below 3,000 yen as early as June [3][4]. Challenges Ahead - Koizumi faces three main challenges: curbing the 18-week rise in rice prices, potentially increasing imports and domestic production, and establishing a transparent price monitoring system [5][6]. - The Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JA) have raised advance payments for this year's autumn rice harvest, indicating that consumers may face even higher prices in the fall [6]. Market Dynamics - The JA has increased advance payments for rice, with prices for Koshihikari rice in Niigata Prefecture rising by 35% to 23,000 yen (approximately 1,156 RMB) per 60 kilograms, and Akita Komachi rice in Akita Prefecture expected to reach 24,000 yen (approximately 1,206 RMB) [6]. - The upcoming US-Japan tariff negotiations may influence Japan's rice import strategy, potentially impacting domestic prices [7].