日本米价再创新高 政府改变储备米投放方案

Core Viewpoint - The Japanese government is implementing a new rice reserve release plan to stabilize rising rice prices, which have reached record highs, with the average price for a 5-kilogram bag at 4,285 yen, more than double the price from the same period last year [1][2]. Group 1: Price Statistics - As of May 18, the average price for a 5-kilogram bag of rice is 4,285 yen, an increase of 17 yen from the previous week [1]. - This price is more than double the 2,120 yen recorded during the same period last year, marking a new high since the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries began tracking this data [1]. Group 2: Government Response - The government plans to sell reserve rice directly to retailers at an average price of 10,700 yen for 60 kilograms, which is nearly half the previous auction price [1][2]. - The initial release will consist of 300,000 tons of reserve rice, with 200,000 tons from the 2022 harvest and 100,000 tons from the 2021 harvest [2]. - The government aims to lower the retail price for consumers to 2,000 yen for a 5-kilogram bag following the implementation of this plan [2]. Group 3: Political Context - The new plan comes after criticism of the previous government's slow response to rising rice prices, with three batches of reserve rice auctioned since March without effectively curbing price increases [2]. - The recent resignation of former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Takashi Eto, due to inappropriate comments about rice, has led to the appointment of Shinjiro Koizumi as the new minister [2].