How much rice will Japan release from its stockpile?

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Japan to Release 210,000 Tonnes of Rice from Emergency Stockpile

The Japanese government has announced it will release 210,000 tonnes of rice from its emergency reserves in response to escalating prices. This decision marks a significant intervention aimed at stabilising the market, with the government tapping into its one million tonne national stockpile.
Release Amidst Soaring Prices

The move comes as the price of rice has seen a substantial surge, driven by a shortage exacerbated by extreme hot weather in 2023 and persistent high temperatures. This situation has created a disruption in distribution, prompting the government to take this unprecedented step.
Emergency Reserve Utilisation

The 210,000 tonnes to be released are drawn from Japan's emergency reserve, which typically holds one million tonnes of rice. While the reserves have been accessed for natural disasters in the past, this is the first instance of their use due to distribution issues rather than immediate agricultural failure or catastrophe.
Government's Objective

Agriculture Minister Taku Eto stated the government's intention to "improve the situation of stagnant distribution at all costs." Despite hopes that the market would stabilise with the arrival of newly harvested rice in autumn, prices continued to climb, with the average retail price for a 5kg bag reaching ¥3,688 in February.
Regulatory Changes Facilitating Release

This release is enabled by a recent change in regulations by the agriculture ministry, which now permits the sale of stockpiled rice when distribution is deemed stagnant, a departure from the previous rule that restricted releases to crop failures or disasters. The government is required to repurchase an equivalent amount of rice from distributors within a year.

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How much rice will Japan release from its stockpile?

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