The authorities had hoped that the worth stabilized when the newly collected rice hit the cabinets in autumn, however the improve continued.
The newest common retail worth of a 5 kg bag was ¥ 3,688 (US $ 24) in keeping with a authorities survey of February, from ¥ 2,023 final yr.
With an unprecedented transfer, the Ministry of Agriculture determined final month to permit the sale of rice to the federal government below a brand new rule.
Previously, the gathered rice might solely be launched in case of great failure or catastrophe, however a change in rules permits a launch when the distribution of rice is taken into account stagnant.
The Ministry should regain the identical quantity of rice from distributors inside one yr.
The authorities issued a legislation to build up rice in 1995 after a severe failure of the rice harvest two years earlier despatched consumers who climbed to purchase the bottom.
