Amid the continuous surge in rice prices in Japan, according to a report by the Japanese newspaper "Mainichi Shimbun" on the evening of October 22, the new Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Suzuki Norihiro, stated at a press conference on the 22nd that the government will not continue to release reserve rice in the future to suppress rice prices. At the same time, Suzuki Norihiro also expressed a negative attitude towards the government's practice of intervening in the market to control rice prices.

Suzuki Norihiro stated at the press conference: "The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries should not intervene in price control, which also involves the government's position. Prices should be determined by the market." He also said that the Japanese government will follow the basic principle of "only releasing reserve rice when the market supply is insufficient." This means that even if rice prices remain high, as long as rice can still be purchased in the market, the Japanese government will no longer release reserve rice into the market.

Suzuki Norihiro at the press conference, "Mainichi Shimbun"

This attitude is completely different from the previous stance of the Ishiba government. The former Prime Minister of Japan, Ishiba Taro, had proposed that "the price of 5 kilograms of rice must be controlled within the range of 3,000 yen." The former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Koizumi Shinjiro, who was appointed by Ishiba, had released large amounts of government reserve rice into the market, creating the meme "Gugu-gu rice" (rice that has been in storage for three years and is now on the market), while also temporarily curbing the excessive rise in rice prices.

Observatory Network checked statistics from the Japanese news agency Jiji Press on the average tax-exclusive price of 5 kg of rice. In January 2024, the average price was still 2,026 yen (approximately 95 yuan). However, since mid-2024, rice prices in Japan have soared, with the average price doubling from January 2024, reaching over 4,300 yen (approximately 200 yuan).

After Koizumi Shinjiro became the Minister of Agriculture in May 2025, rice prices in Japan fell slightly, but began to rise again around mid-August. By October 21, the average price of 5 kg of rice reached 4,426 yen (approximately 207 yuan), setting a new record high.

Statistical chart of the average tax-exclusive price of 5 kg of rice in Japan since January 2024, Jiji Press

Suzuki Norihiro evaluated the previous government's approach, saying: "From the perspective of producers, when rice prices fall sharply, they hope the government will increase the purchase of reserves. I think this is a fair administrative measure, so I do not consider releasing reserves due to high prices."

Additionally, regarding the previous government's policy of increasing rice production, Suzuki Norihiro also showed a "cautious" attitude. The "Mainichi Shimbun" reported that he avoided using the term "increasing production" previously used by Koizumi Shinjiro, and repeatedly emphasized that "producing according to demand is the most important principle and foundation." He also said that to avoid a surplus leading to a sharp drop in rice prices after 2026, it may be necessary to reduce production based on demand.

However, considering the public's complaints about rising rice prices, Suzuki Norihiro said he would study measures such as distributing rice coupons to address current price increases.

This article is an exclusive article by Observer Network. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7564263784890516002/

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