Core Insights - Japan's rice prices have reached a new high, with the average price of 5 kilograms of rice exceeding 4,000 yen for 13 consecutive weeks, currently at 4,335 yen (approximately 197.6 RMB) [1] Price Trends - High-end brand rice prices have reached 4,551 yen (207.4 RMB) for 5 kilograms, while mixed rice prices have increased by 92 yen to 3,870 yen (176.4 RMB) [2] - The price increase is attributed to factors such as extreme heat leading to poor rice harvests, with prices expected to continue rising into the summer of 2024 [2] Government Response - The previous government had released reserve rice to stabilize prices, but the current administration opposes this approach and instead proposes issuing rice discount coupons to low-income groups [2] - Some cities have begun distributing rice discount coupons, although the costs associated with the program have raised concerns due to higher administrative expenses than the value of the coupons [2] Consumer Impact - Many Japanese citizens are expressing concerns as rice, a staple food, has become unaffordable, leading to a shift towards alternatives like bread and noodles [2]

Core Viewpoint - Japan's average rice selling price has reached a historical high, indicating significant inflationary pressures in the agricultural sector [1] Group 1: Price Data - As of November 30, the average price of rice in approximately 1,000 supermarkets across Japan is 4,335 yen per 5 kilograms, which is approximately 200 RMB [1]

Group 1 - The core point of the article is that Japan's new rice trading price has reached a historical high, with the average price for all varieties of new rice at 37,058 yen per 60 kilograms, an increase of 163 yen from September [1] - The rise in rice prices is attributed to extreme high temperatures leading to poor harvests and a warning of increased earthquake risk in the eastern Pacific, which caused panic buying and a temporary rice shortage [2] - Although the new rice has been released, alleviating some of the rice shortage, prices remain high [2]

Core Points - The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced that the average price for new rice transactions between shipping groups and wholesalers for the 2025 harvest is set at 37,058 yen per 60 kilograms of brown rice, marking an increase of 163 yen from September and reaching a historical high [1] - Starting from the summer of 2024, rice prices in Japan began to rise due to factors such as extreme high temperatures leading to poor rice harvests [1]

Core Viewpoint - The recent increase in rice prices in Japan is attributed to the high cost of new rice entering the market and a decrease in government reserve rice supply, leading to a significant rise in consumer prices [1] Price Trends - As of November 9, the average price of a 5-kilogram bag of rice reached 4,316 yen, approximately 198 RMB, marking a consecutive weekly increase and surpassing the previous high of 4,285 yen set in May [1] - The price of new rice in supermarkets is generally over 5,000 yen, around 230 RMB, indicating a substantial price hike [1] Factors Influencing Price Increase - The surge in rice prices is influenced by the introduction of expensive new rice and a reduction in the supply of relatively cheaper government reserve rice [1] - Extreme high temperatures leading to poor rice harvests starting in the summer of 2024 are expected to further impact rice prices in Japan [1]

Group 1 - The average price of a 5-kilogram bag of rice in Japan has reached 4,316 yen (approximately 198 RMB), marking a new record high and reflecting a significant increase for the second consecutive week [1][2] - The rise in rice prices is attributed to the high cost of newly harvested rice entering the market and a decrease in the supply of relatively cheaper government reserve rice [2] - Many Japanese citizens are expressing concerns over rice becoming a "luxury item," leading some to switch their staple food to pasta [2] Group 2 - Starting from summer 2024, rice prices in Japan are expected to continue rising due to factors such as extreme heat causing poor harvests [2] - In response to rising prices, the former government had previously released government reserve rice to stabilize the market, but the current administration opposes this approach and suggests issuing rice discount coupons to low-income groups [2] - Some cities have begun distributing rice discount coupons, although the costs associated with processing these coupons have raised questions about their effectiveness [2]

Core Insights - The average price of a 5-kilogram bag of rice in Japan is 4,246 yen (approximately 202 RMB), remaining above 4,000 yen for three consecutive weeks [1] - The price decreased by 29 yen compared to the previous week but is still at a high level [1] - In May, the average retail price reached a record high of 4,285 yen, the highest on record for Japan [1] Price Influences - The high rice prices are attributed to the introduction of relatively expensive new rice, which has increased overall rice prices [1] - A reduction in the supply of affordable government reserve rice has also contributed to the price increase [1] Market Conditions - Since the summer of 2024, extreme high temperatures have led to poor rice harvests, causing a continuous rise in rice prices [1] - A warning from meteorological authorities about the increased likelihood of earthquakes in the eastern Pacific region last August led to public panic buying, resulting in a temporary "rice shortage" [1] - The arrival of new rice has alleviated the "rice shortage," but prices remain high [1]

Group 1 - The average price of a 5-kilogram bag of rice in Japan reached 4,275 yen (approximately 205.5 RMB) during the week of September 8 to September 14, marking a continuous increase for three weeks and nearing the historical high of 4,285 yen (approximately 206 RMB) set in May this year [1] - The recent surge in rice prices is attributed to the introduction of relatively expensive new rice and a decrease in the supply of affordable government reserve rice [1] Group 2 - On June 11, the Japanese government initiated a new round of reserve rice distribution, with nearly 100 retailers applying to sell the rice, leading to long queues and a "rice scramble" among consumers [3] - A total of 120,000 tons of reserve rice was released, including 20,000 tons remaining from a previous auction and 100,000 tons newly introduced, all produced in 2021 [3] - The expected retail price for the 2021 reserve rice is approximately 1,800 yen (about 89 RMB) per 5 kilograms, while the 2020 reserve rice is expected to be around 1,700 yen (about 84 RMB), both significantly lower than market prices [3] Group 3 - Since the summer of 2024, rice prices in Japan have been rising due to extreme heat causing poor harvests, leading to a previous "rice shortage" triggered by warnings of increased earthquake risks in the region [4] - The availability of new rice has alleviated some of the previous shortages, but prices remain high [4]

Group 1 - The average price of a 5-kilogram bag of rice in Japan has reached 4,275 yen (approximately 205.5 RMB), marking a continuous increase for three weeks and nearing historical highs [1] - The price increased by 120 yen (approximately 5.8 RMB) from the previous week, remaining above 4,000 yen (approximately 192 RMB) for two consecutive weeks [1] - The surge in rice prices is attributed to the introduction of relatively expensive new rice and a decrease in the supply of government reserve rice [3] Group 2 - In May, the average retail price of a 5-kilogram bag of rice peaked at 4,285 yen (approximately 206 RMB), the highest recorded price in Japan [3] - Factors contributing to the price increase include extreme high temperatures leading to poor rice harvests and a previous warning about the potential for earthquakes, which caused panic buying and a temporary rice shortage [3] - Although the new rice has alleviated some of the supply issues, rice prices remain elevated [3]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles indicates that the price of rice in Japan is expected to rise significantly due to increased prepayments for new rice by agricultural cooperatives, driven by competition among buyers and reduced production caused by extreme summer heat [1][2] - Agricultural cooperatives in major rice-producing regions, such as Niigata Prefecture, have raised the prepayment for new rice by approximately 70% compared to last year, averaging 30,000 yen (about 1,456 RMB) per 60 kilograms [1] - In Toyama Prefecture, the prepayment has increased by 60%, averaging 26,000 yen (about 1,262 RMB) per 60 kilograms, while regions like Hokkaido and Akita have also seen increases of about 10,000 yen (approximately 485 RMB) [1] Group 2 - The rise in rice prices has been ongoing since the summer of 2024, attributed to extreme heat leading to poor rice harvests [2] - A previous warning about the increased likelihood of earthquakes in the eastern Pacific Ocean led to a panic buying situation, resulting in a temporary "rice shortage" last year, although the situation improved after the new rice was harvested [2]