Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Shinjiro Koizumi, revealed on the 4th that he is considering putting in government reserve rice to sake and miso manufacturers to cope with the rise in rice prices and the shortage of rice. “Rice is not only used as a staple food; it requires thorough and careful consideration,” he stressed. There are still about 300,000 tons of rice reserves left after the previous release, and it is expected that part of it will be allocated. Koizumi was interviewed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and also revealed that he plans to meet with Japanese sake makers and miso processing groups next week. He said he “will study possible countermeasures” and finalize the details in the near future. Koizumi said that if there is demand, an unlimited amount of rice will be put into reserve, and at the same time, consideration will also be given to supplying rice imported with a minimum import amount. He said, “We will evaluate all options and use every possible means to stabilize the rising price of rice.”

Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Shinjiro Koizumi, revealed on the 4th that he is considering putting in government reserve rice to sake and miso manufacturers to cope with the rise in rice prices and the shortage of rice. “Rice is not only used as a staple food; it requires thorough and careful consideration,” he stressed. There are still about 300,000 tons of rice reserves left after the previous release, and it is expected that part of it will be allocated. Koizumi was interviewed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and also revealed that he plans to meet with Japanese sake makers and miso processing groups next week. He said he “will study possible countermeasures” and finalize the details in the near future. Koizumi said that if there is demand, an unlimited amount of rice will be put into reserve, and at the same time, consideration will also be given to supplying rice imported with a minimum import amount. He said, “We will evaluate all options and use every possible means to stabilize the rising price of rice.”