Core Viewpoint - The Japanese government has initiated a new release of reserve rice to stabilize rice prices amid rising demand from retailers [1] Group 1: Government Action - On June 11, the Japanese government launched a new batch of reserve rice, totaling 120,000 tons, in response to applications from nearly 100 retailers [1] - The rice released on June 11 is sourced from the 2021 harvest [1] - If the entire batch is purchased by retailers, the government plans to release an additional 100,000 tons of reserve rice from the 2020 harvest [1]

Group 1 - The core point of the article highlights a significant increase in food prices in Japan, with the number of price hikes reaching 1,932 types in June, approximately three times that of the same period last year [1][3]. - In Saitama Prefecture, the price of popular instant rice has risen by over 10%, with around 116 types of rice-related products experiencing price increases this month [3][5]. - The most affected category in the price hikes is condiments, accounting for nearly half of the total number of price-increased food items [3]. Group 2 - Japan's core Consumer Price Index (CPI) has consistently shown a year-on-year increase of over 3% this year, surpassing the Bank of Japan's target of 2% [7]. - In April, the core CPI rose by 3.5%, marking the largest increase in over two years, with rice prices soaring by 98.4%, setting a record for seven consecutive months [7]. - A forecast suggests that the total number of food price increases in Japan for the year could exceed 20,000, surpassing last year's figures [7].

Core Viewpoint - The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced a rice supply plan for direct retailers, with over half of the planned 300,000 tons already subscribed, leading to a temporary suspension of purchase applications [1] Group 1 - The government plans to release 300,000 tons of rice to direct retailers [1] - More than half of the planned rice supply has already been subscribed within a day of the announcement [1] - The government is expected to resume accepting purchase applications as early as May 30 [1]

Group 1 - Approximately 70 companies have applied to purchase government-released reserve rice through "discretionary contracts," totaling over 200,000 tons [1] - The planned release of 2022 crop rice has been fully subscribed, leading the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to stop accepting further applications [1] - Remaining 2021 crop rice will be sold to small and medium-sized supermarkets and rice shops [1]

Domestic News - The National Internet Information Office continues to deepen the rectification of online financial information chaos [1] - Four departments jointly issued guidance to promote efficient handling of enterprise migration registration as a single matter [1] International News - Japan plans to introduce low-priced reserve rice to alleviate inflation pressure, potentially launching at 400 yen per kilogram starting in June [1] - Japan intends to reach a tariff agreement with the United States before the G7 summit in June [1] - Russian officials stated that a draft peace memorandum will be submitted in the coming days [1] - Power outages in southern France affected 160,000 households, causing disruptions to the Cannes Film Festival screenings [1] - The European Union is considering removing 20 Russian banks from SWIFT and lowering the price cap on Russian oil as part of sanctions [1]