TOKYO -- Japan's agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi thanked the private sector for swift sales of government stockpiled rice through negotiated contracts upon his visit to retail stores in Tokyo June 1.
While Koizumi had initially expected the reserve rice to be available in early June, some stores began sales as early as May 31. He commented, "I never expected it to be on the shelves in May. I am filled with gratitude for the incredible speed at which private businesses responded."
Koizumi visited major retailers Mega Don Quijote's Omori Sanno store in Tokyo's Ota Ward and the Aeon Style Shinagawa Seaside store in Shinagawa Ward. The latter prepared 6,200 bags of stockpiled rice, selling them at 1,980 yen (about $14) for 5 kilograms excluding tax. By the 8 a.m. opening on June 1, a long queue of customers had formed.
After receiving a briefing from Aeon Style executives, Koizumi noted, "I heard there is a significant sense of a shortage of rice in the Kansai region, even more so than in Tokyo. Bread is selling, and people are moving away from rice." He added, "Brand-name rice is expensive, and even when sold in 2-kilogram packages, it's not selling. It's necessary to introduce stockpiled rice to curb the price surge."
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