【环球财经】日本政府多手段尝试平抑历史最高米价

Core Viewpoint - Japan's rice prices are soaring, prompting the government to implement a new plan to release reserve rice into the market to stabilize prices, which have reached historical highs [1][3]. Group 1: Government Actions - The Japanese government plans to release a total of 300,000 tons of reserve rice, targeting large retailers with annual sales of over 10,000 tons [3]. - The selling price for the reserve rice is set at 11,556 yen (approximately 581 RMB) for every 60 kilograms, with an expected retail price of 2,160 yen (approximately 109 RMB) for every 5 kilograms [3]. - The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will cover the transportation costs of the reserve rice to retailers, and retailers are required to complete sales by the end of August [3]. Group 2: Market Conditions - The average price of 5-kilogram bags of rice in Japanese supermarkets reached a new high of 4,285 yen (approximately 216 RMB) during the week of May 12 to 18 [7]. - Factors contributing to the rising rice prices include extreme heat leading to poor harvests and public panic buying due to warnings of potential earthquakes affecting rice production [7]. - Despite previous auctions of reserve rice since March, the upward trend in rice prices has not been effectively curbed [7].