Core Viewpoint - The Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Koizumi Shinjiro, announced plans to consider releasing government reserve rice for use in the production of sake and miso to address rising rice prices and shortages [1] Group 1 - The Japanese government is facing challenges with increasing rice prices and a shortage of rice supply [1] - The proposal aims to support sake and miso manufacturers by providing them with government reserve rice [1] - This initiative reflects the government's response to the agricultural market's current conditions [1]