Toru Yamano, chairperson of Japan's Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (JA-Zenchu), met with farm minister Norikazu Suzuki on Oct. 30 to express that the JA group supports the distribution of "rice vouchers." The Mainichi Shimbun answers some common questions readers may have about the plan to give out rice vouchers and the reasons behind it.
Question: What are rice vouchers?
Answer: They are certificates to purchase rice and sometimes other items, depending on the store, issued by organizations such as the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations (JA Zen-Noh) and the national federation of rice wholesalers, known as Zenbeihan.
Q: Where are rice vouchers being distributed?
A: Tokyo's Taito Ward government began to hand out JA Zen-Noh "rice gift vouchers" to all households in the ward in October. Similar initiatives are taking place in several other municipalities in the country. Suzuki is considering supporting these efforts.
Q: What is their goal?
A: The aim is to alleviate household's financial burdens. However, rice vouchers are also said to help support rice prices that remain high. There are doubts about whether they effectively contribute to rice price stability.
Q: Is the JA group backing this move because it will expand profits from JA Zen-Noh's rice gift vouchers?
A: Yamano denied such claims, explaining, "With rice prices remaining high, some people cannot afford to buy the staple food. The distribution of rice vouchers is seen as one possible measure for these people."
Q: What is the agriculture minister's view?
A: There are concerns about potential profit inducing for the industry. In response to such concerns, Suzuki emphasized on a commercial broadcast on Oct. 27, "I'm not doing anything for votes (from agricultural industries)."
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