Despite Soaring Rice Prices in Japan, Takaichi Cabinet Effectively Withdraws Production Increase Policy

Next Year's Rice Production Target Set 370,000 Tons Lower
Mainichi Criticizes "Return to Rice Production Control Policy"

With rice prices in Japan having doubled compared to previous years, the Sanae Takaichi Cabinet effectively withdrew the rice production increase policy set by the previous administration under Shigeru Ishiba in early August.

According to the Asahi Shimbun on November 3, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan set the rice production target for next year at 7.11 million tons, about 370,000 tons less than this year, during a meeting with experts on October 31.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries explained that this was merely a production adjustment to match demand, not a reduction in production. However, with the policy being reversed in just three months, some farmers and citizens have expressed dissatisfaction.

From October 20 to 26, the average retail price for 5 kilograms of rice sold at supermarkets nationwide was 4,208 yen (approximately 39,000 won), marking the eighth consecutive week that prices remained in the 4,000-yen range. In particular, new harvest rice is being traded at around 5,000 yen (about 46,000 won) per 5 kilograms.

At his inaugural press conference last month, Agriculture Minister Norikazu Suzuki stated, "Rice prices are determined by the market, and the government will not intervene," adding that the government would consider providing "rice vouchers" in the event of a sharp price increase. This stands in stark contrast to the policy of Shinjiro Koizumi, who served as Agriculture Minister before the Takaichi Cabinet and had planned to release government rice reserves to stabilize prices.

Previously, the Ishiba administration had announced its intention to abolish the rice production control policy that had been in place for over 50 years and shift toward increasing production in response to soaring rice prices.

In an editorial on the same day, the Mainichi Shimbun criticized Minister Suzuki, stating, "Clinging to past policies will not earn the trust of producers and consumers," and argued that he is effectively reverting to a rice production control policy.

The editorial continued, "We must not forget that the main cause of last year's sharp rise in rice prices was the government's failure to forecast supply and demand," stressing the need for fundamental reform in agricultural policy.

The Asahi Shimbun also pointed out, "If rice prices remain high, consumers may be reluctant to purchase domestically produced rice."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.