Core Viewpoint - Japan is experiencing a "rice shortage crisis," leading to skyrocketing rice prices and significant consumer demand for government-supplied rice [1][12]. Group 1: Rice Price Surge and Consumer Behavior - The Japanese government has initiated a new round of rice reserve sales to stabilize prices, resulting in long queues at supermarkets, with some consumers waiting overnight to purchase limited quantities [3][6]. - In Hokkaido, a government reserve rice batch was sold out quickly, with prices significantly lower than market rates, indicating high consumer demand amid rising prices [5][12]. - The government has been actively releasing rice reserves since March, but prices continue to rise, with some supermarkets selling rice at over 4000 yen for 5 kg [12][13]. Group 2: Decline of Traditional Rice Stores - Traditional rice stores in Japan are facing a crisis, with a record number of closures reported, as consumers increasingly prefer supermarkets and online platforms for their convenience and transparency [8][9]. - Data shows that over half of traditional rice stores are experiencing worsening business conditions, with a significant percentage reporting reduced revenues [9][10]. - The decline in traditional rice stores is attributed to several factors, including the aging population, changing consumer preferences, and the inability to compete with larger retail chains [9][11]. Group 3: Government Measures and Market Dynamics - The Japanese government plans to sell reserve rice directly to retailers, bypassing traditional wholesale channels, which further exacerbates the challenges faced by traditional rice stores [10][11]. - Despite rising rice prices, many farmers are not benefiting due to fixed pricing agreements with agricultural cooperatives, leading to a disconnect between market prices and farmer income [13][14]. - The current rice crisis has highlighted structural issues within Japan's rice market, including slow responses from the government and inefficiencies in the distribution system [16][17]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Experts predict that without significant reforms, the rice shortage crisis may recur, posing a severe threat to small traditional rice stores [17]. - The anticipated increase in prepayments for rice by agricultural cooperatives may lead to even higher retail prices in the coming months [16][17].

21世纪经济报道记者胡慧茵广州报道 从去年秋季至今，日本的"米荒危机"还在持续。 据央视新闻报道，当地时间6月9日，日本首相石破茂在国会参议院决算委员会会议上表示，将通过为大 米稳定供应问题而设立的阁僚会议，对日本大米价格突然高涨的原因进行彻底调查。 面对流通渠道的变革，日本传统米店显得竞争力不足。而2024年夏季至今的日本"米荒"，更让传统米店 的供应链"短板"暴露无遗。央视财经报道称，由于进不到大米，叠加进货成本持续上涨，越来越多的小 型传统米店难以留住顾客。 为了缓解大米供应紧张并抑制米价，5月24日，日本农林水产大臣小泉进次郎表示，政府计划直接将储 备米卖给零售商，而非像之前一样拍卖给中间商。政府将绕过那些阻碍政府控制价格的拍卖机制，与零 售商"直接签合同"。张玉来称，此举使传统米店的生存状况进一步恶化，"日本政府将储备米直接卖给 终端零售商，既包括网购的乐天，以及永旺等大超市和7-11和全家等便利店，绕过了农协主导的批发销 售体系，传统米店依然是'无米可卖'。" 一边是日本大米价格不断飙升，另一边，日本政府持续增加市场的大米流通量。据新华社报道，日本政 府近期为平抑高涨米价，向市场投放多批储备米，剩 ...

Group 1 - The Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Takumi Eto, made controversial remarks regarding the ongoing rice crisis, stating he has never bought rice and has enough gifted rice to open a store, which sparked public outrage [1] - Despite the government's release of 310,000 tons of reserve rice, rice prices have not significantly decreased, and Eto expressed a sense of responsibility for the high prices [1] - Public dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the rice crisis is growing, with 87% of respondents in a recent poll believing that the government has not taken adequate measures to address the issue [2] Group 2 - The price of rice in Japan has been on the rise since last summer, and although there was a slight decrease in May, current prices are still approximately double compared to the same period last year [2] - Eto's comments have led to accusations of insensitivity towards ordinary citizens, with some calling for his resignation and questioning the legality of accepting gifted rice [1]