Core Viewpoint - Rising rice prices in Japan have led to an unexpected trend where rice has become a popular gift for Mother's Day, highlighting a shift towards practicality in gift-giving [1] Group 1: Consumer Behavior - Consumers are increasingly choosing rice as a gift for Mother's Day due to its practicality compared to traditional gifts like flowers and cakes [1] - A store in Nishinomiya reported a doubling in sales of gift rice compared to the previous year, indicating a significant increase in consumer interest [1] Group 2: Market Trends - Rice has appeared on "Mother's Day recommended gifts" lists in various shopping venues, showing a notable increase in sales compared to previous years [1] - Staff at a shopping mall in Osaka noted that gifting rice has become a new trend, reflecting a broader consumer focus on the utility of gifts [1] Group 3: Price Dynamics - Since the summer of 2024, extreme heat has led to poor rice harvests, contributing to a continuous rise in rice prices in Japan [1] - The average price for a 5-kilogram bag of rice has reached 4,233 yen (approximately 211 RMB), marking a record high for 17 consecutive weeks [1] - The Japanese government has auctioned off three batches of reserve rice since March in an attempt to control rising prices, but the upward trend remains uncurbed [1]