"Rice shortage" continues, Japanese convenience store chain launches "aged rice balls" made with rice harvested in 2023, sparking controversy.

According to the Japanese newspaper "Asahi Shimbun", the large convenience store chain company Lawson Group in Japan announced on the 3rd that it will launch "aged rice balls" made from rice harvested in 2023, and sell them at a price lower than its regular rice balls. It is reported that Lawson has purchased about two tons of aged rice from the market. Takashi Okamura, president of Lawson Group, said at a press conference that considering the good condition of this aged rice, the company hopes to make more effective use of it. Takashi Okamura also stated that the company plans to introduce several basic flavors, with each serving priced at around 120 Japanese yen before tax.