Koizumi Announces Suspension of Discretionary Contracts for Rice Reserves

TOKYO, May 28 (News On Japan) - The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has temporarily halted new applications for discretionary contracts to purchase rice from government reserves, Agriculture Minister Koizumi announced on May 27th. The decision comes after applications for 2022-harvest rice reached the quota limit of 200,000 tons.

Koizumi said that sales will resume on May 30th, but only for rice harvested in 2021. The new round of contracts will be limited to small-scale supermarkets and neighborhood rice retailers.

Retail prices are expected to fall to around 1,800 yen for 5 kilograms under this revised distribution plan.

Source: TBS

Typhoon 22 Leaves Hachijo Island Devastated with Roofs Torn Off and Roads Blocked

Typhoon No. 22, classified as a very strong system, made a direct hit on the Izu Islands, leaving widespread damage across the region. On Hachijo Island, located about 300 kilometers south of Tokyo, the storm brought record-breaking rainfall and violent winds, leaving residents stunned by the destruction.

Typhoon No. 22 (Halong) Leaves Izu Islands Battered; Caution Still Urged

Typhoon No. 22 has brought severe weather to the Izu Islands, especially around Hachijo Island, with strong winds and heavy rain continuing to affect the region. Although the rain and wind have peaked, authorities urge continued caution against violent gusts, high waves, and potential landslides due to saturated ground conditions. While most of the Kanto region, including the Tokyo metropolitan area, has avoided major transportation disruptions, some services along the coasts of Chiba and Ibaraki prefectures may still be affected.

Typhoon No. 23 (Nakri) Approaching South of Japan Over Holiday Weekend

As of 9 a.m. on October 9, Typhoon No. 23 (Nakri) was moving quickly northwest over waters south of Japan and is expected to influence weather conditions over the upcoming three-day holiday weekend. The typhoon is forecast to strengthen slightly as it approaches the Okinawa and Amami regions between October 10 and 11. Afterward, it is expected to curve northward, moving off the coast of Kyushu on October 12 and reaching waters south of Japan’s main islands by October 13.

Japanese Teachers Still Work World’s Longest Hours

Elementary and junior high school teachers in Japan still work the longest hours among their peers worldwide, according to an OECD report released on Tuesday. While the 2024 results by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development showed working hours had fallen by around four hours per week compared with the previous survey in 2018, Japan’s teachers still far exceeded their global counterparts.

Beer Shortages Hit Japan's Izakayas

Beer deliveries from Asahi Group Holdings have been disrupted following a ransomware cyberattack, causing shortages that have already begun to affect izakaya and other establishments across Japan. Some bars have reported their beer stock falling to “only one left” as supply chain delays ripple through the industry.

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