Japanese rice prices hit a historic high, and the government plans to release rice that has been stored for three years.

According to the data released by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries yesterday, as of April 20th, the average price of a 5-kilogram pack of rice sold in supermarkets nationwide has reached 4,220 yen. This price has not only increased for the 16th consecutive week, but also once again set a new record since statistics have been kept, highlighting the serious situation of high rice prices in Japan. Despite the fact that the Japanese government has released three batches of reserve rice to the market this year in an attempt to suppress rice prices, the current effect seems limited, and the trend of rising rice prices has not been reversed. Wholesale rice dealers in various parts of Japan have reported that the limited quantity of reserve rice is not enough to lower market prices. The Japanese government plans to launch the fourth batch of reserve rice next month, which will include aged rice produced in 2022.