Core Points - The ongoing rice price surge in Japan, termed the "Reiwa rice turmoil," has led to public discontent and protests from farmers, despite the country not facing an actual rice shortage [1][2][3] - The price of rice has more than doubled over the past year, with a 1.4 kg bag of glutinous rice rising from 800 yen to 1400 yen [3][4] - The Japanese government has intervened by releasing reserve rice and importing rice from the U.S. to stabilize prices, but prices have continued to rise, with a 60% increase compared to the previous year [6][8][9] Group 1: Current Situation - The price of 5 kg of rice in Tokyo has reached 5072 yen, marking a 2511 yen increase compared to the previous year, indicating a more than double increase [9][10] - Despite the high prices, there is no actual shortage of rice in supermarkets, although prices have surged significantly [10][11] - The traditional agricultural policy in Japan, known as the "reduction and compensation policy," has contributed to the current situation by prioritizing price stability over production increases [12][15] Group 2: Historical Context - Japan's rice production peaked in the 1960s but has since declined due to changing dietary habits influenced by Western culture, with rice consumption dropping from 118.3 kg per person in 1962 to 50.8 kg in 2020 [13][14] - The self-sufficiency rate for rice remains at 100%, but other grains and food products are heavily reliant on imports, leading to a food security concern [14][17] - The "reduction and compensation policy" was implemented to prevent overproduction and stabilize prices, resulting in a significant decrease in rice production from over 1.3 million tons in the late 1960s to 776,000 tons in 2020 [15][17] Group 3: Economic Implications - The average income for rice farmers has been low, with production costs exceeding selling prices, necessitating government subsidies to cover losses [17][19][37] - The aging population of farmers poses a significant challenge, with 70% of farmers over the age of 65 and a lack of successors for many farms [34][35] - The high costs of farming and low profitability have led to a decline in the number of active farmers and abandoned farmland, exacerbating the rice supply issue [39][40] Group 4: Market Dynamics - The Japanese Agricultural Cooperative (JA) plays a crucial role in determining rice prices and has significant political influence, effectively monopolizing the domestic rice market [21][22] - Farmers face high fees and strict quality standards imposed by the JA, leading some to seek alternative sales channels to escape the cooperative's control [26][27] - The current rice price crisis has prompted a shift towards boutique farming, where small-scale farmers focus on high-quality products for niche markets [28][31]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing rice crisis in Japan, highlighting the impact of government policies, climate change, and market dynamics on rice production and pricing. Group 1: Rice Production and Pricing - Japan's rice consumption heavily relies on domestic production, with only 100,000 tons allowed for duty-free import, constituting about 1% of total consumption [1] - Despite government intervention by releasing 300,000 tons of reserve rice, retail prices have doubled compared to last year [1] - The rice crisis is attributed to a combination of rare high temperatures in 2023 leading to poor harvests and increased demand from international tourists [2] Group 2: Government Policies and Historical Context - Japan's long-standing policies have restricted rice production, leading to a lack of market elasticity [2] - The "Reduction Policy" initiated in the 1970s aimed to stabilize rice prices by limiting the area for rice cultivation, which has continued to influence production decisions [4][6] - The abolition of the "Reduction Policy" in 2018 did not eliminate government support for reduced rice planting, indicating a continuation of restrictive practices [6] Group 3: Agricultural Structure and Challenges - Japan's agricultural sector is characterized by smallholder farms rather than large agricultural groups, relying on the Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JA) for support [7] - The complex supply chain, where rice is collected by cooperatives before reaching retailers, has contributed to market inefficiencies [7] - The aging farming population, with an average age of 69, and a significant decline in agricultural workforce pose challenges for increasing rice production [8] Group 4: Potential Solutions and Future Outlook - The Japanese government is exploring options to alleviate the rice crisis, including relaxing import restrictions and directly contracting with large retailers [9] - The rice crisis reflects the broader struggle between protecting traditional agriculture and adapting to market changes in a globalized economy [11]

Core Viewpoint - The rising rice prices in Japan have sparked public outrage, leading to scrutiny of the Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JA) as a potential cause of the price surge, with calls for its privatization gaining traction [1][2]. Group 1: Overview of Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JA) - JA, or Japan Agricultural Cooperatives, is a mutual aid organization formed by farmers to address market risks and enhance bargaining power, established post-World War II [3]. - JA serves as a comprehensive service platform for farmers, handling everything from product sales to procurement of essential supplies and financial services [3][4]. - As of April 2025, there are 496 JA organizations employing approximately 167,000 staff, with JA banks holding deposits of 100 trillion yen and operating funds of 56 trillion yen [6]. Group 2: Issues with JA's Dominance - The extensive services provided by JA have led to a dependency among farmers, limiting their ability to seek alternative sales channels [8][9]. - JA's financial operations have faced significant losses, including a 1.8 trillion yen deficit in the Agricultural Central Bank, raising concerns about its role in driving up rice prices [10]. - The government’s rice reserve policy has resulted in 95% of the 210,000 tons of reserve rice being purchased by JA, leading to suspicions of price manipulation [11]. Group 3: Political and Economic Dynamics - The "agricultural policy triangle" involves a mutual support system among the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's agricultural faction, the Ministry of Agriculture, and JA, which has maintained high rice prices through production restrictions [12][13]. - This policy has resulted in high consumer prices, with a 5-kilogram bag of rice costing around 3,000 to 4,000 yen, while agricultural productivity has stagnated [13][15]. Group 4: Reform Efforts and Challenges - The new Minister of Agriculture, Koizumi Shinjiro, is attempting to bypass JA with a "rice stockpiling" policy to lower prices, but faces resistance due to JA's entrenched influence [16]. - Calls for reform include suggestions for privatization of JA or allowing farmers to sell directly to consumers, but many farmers lack the capability to adapt to such changes [17][18]. - JA is exploring international markets to alleviate domestic price pressures, but significant structural reforms are needed to improve efficiency and transparency [20]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The dual nature of JA as both a support system for farmers and a source of inefficiency poses challenges for reform, with the need to balance farmer protection and consumer interests [21][22]. - The effectiveness of Koizumi's reforms remains uncertain, with comparisons drawn to past privatization efforts in Japan [23].

Core Insights - The Japanese government plans to release an additional 200,000 tons of reserve rice to stabilize rice prices, which have doubled compared to the same period last year, currently averaging 4,223 yen for a 5-kilogram bag [1][2] - Despite government efforts to release reserve rice, the effectiveness has been limited, with only 7.1% of the 210,000 tons released in March reaching retail stores by late April [2][3] - The high rice prices are attributed to several factors, including government policies aimed at reducing overproduction, climate change impacts, and increased demand due to natural disasters [2] Government Actions - The government has shifted its strategy for releasing reserve rice from a bidding system to direct contracts with large retailers, aiming to sell rice at 2,000 yen for a 5-kilogram bag [3] - The reserve rice being released is from the 2021 and 2022 harvests, with transportation costs covered by the government [3] - There is skepticism regarding the long-term effectiveness of these measures, with experts suggesting that the current high prices may persist beyond the upcoming elections [3] Market Conditions - A significant increase in food prices is expected, with 1,932 food items projected to rise in June, three times the number from the previous year, including over 100 items made from rice [1][2] - The ongoing high prices have led to consumer fatigue, with many reducing their purchases of food and daily necessities [1][2] - The agricultural sector faces challenges such as labor shortages due to an aging population and adverse weather conditions affecting rice quality [2]

新华财经东京6月1日电 （记者钱铮）近一年来，日本大米价格屡创新高。日本农林水产省公布的最新 数据显示，5月12日至18日这一周，日本超市5公斤装大米平均售价为4285日元（1美元约合144日元）， 再创新高，是去年同期的两倍多。 大米是日本核心食材。面对一年间米价翻番，日本百姓苦不堪言，直呼消费不起。日本政府自3月起数 次向市场投放储备米，试图平抑米价，但目前看来收效甚微。此间专家指出，若不能从根本上解决供需 矛盾，政府储备米不过是杯水车薪。 供应能力下降与需求结构变化叠加，导致日本大米短缺成为长期且深刻的社会难题。日生基础研究所综 合政策研究部副主任研究员小前田大介说，从供应面来看，日本政府长期推行旨在抑制大米产量过剩 的"减反政策"、气候变化导致自然灾害频发、人口老龄化带来的农业劳动力不足等都严重影响大米产 量。与此同时。2023年酷暑天气造成大米品质下降，批发商为保证精磨成品率而加大采购量，加之去年 南海海槽地震预警以及台风灾害引发民众囤积大米，导致需求骤增、米价急涨。 真壁表示，小泉与市场的博弈恐难轻易见分晓。若业界无法形成"米价将趋稳"的普遍预期，经销商势必 延缓库存释放节奏。这可能会是一场持久战 ...

Core Viewpoint - Despite the Japanese government's release of over 300,000 tons of reserve rice, rice prices continue to rise, with the average retail price for a 5-kilogram bag reaching 4,220 yen, more than double the price from the previous year [1][2]. Group 1: Price Trends - The average retail price of 5-kilogram rice has reached 4,220 yen (approximately 214.12 RMB), marking a record high and an increase of 92.1% year-on-year [2][11]. - The price of 2-kilogram rice ranges from 2,080 to 2,480 yen, equivalent to approximately 26.94 to 32.11 RMB per kilogram, indicating a continuous upward trend in rice prices [3]. Group 2: Supply Issues - Many supermarkets have implemented purchase limits due to rice shortages, with some stores displaying nearly empty rice shelves [1][2]. - The government has released 210,000 tons of reserve rice since March, but the circulation of this rice has been minimal, with only 426 tons reaching retailers by the end of March [7]. Group 3: Government Response - The Japanese government plans to release an additional 100,000 tons of reserve rice and will continue monthly releases until July, but the effectiveness of these measures remains in question [6][9]. - Criticism has arisen regarding the timing and scale of the reserve rice releases, with many consumers feeling that the government's actions have been too slow [6][8]. Group 4: Consumer Behavior - Increasingly, Japanese consumers are turning to imports from countries like South Korea, India, and Thailand, with reports of individuals bringing back rice during travels [4][5]. - The high rice prices are affecting consumer spending habits, leading to a more cautious approach to expenditures [11]. Group 5: Economic Impact - The rise in rice prices is contributing to overall inflation, with the core consumer price index rising by 3.2% in March, driven largely by food prices [11][12]. - Analysts suggest that the persistent inflation and rising food costs may complicate the Bank of Japan's monetary policy, potentially limiting future interest rate hikes [12].