TOKYO - The newly announced price of 1,800 yen per 5 kilograms for low-cost rice has sparked strong interest across the Kansai region, with public agencies and retailers moving quickly to secure supplies amid growing consumer demand for affordable staple foods.
As part of a government initiative to release stockpiled rice reserves, 70 companies nationwide have submitted applications, with the total distribution volume expected to reach up to 200,000 tonnes. In Kansai, the regional quota of 8,000 tonnes has already been filled.
Major players such as the Kobe Public Service and retail groups including Hankyu Oasis, Izumiya, and Kansai Supermarket have applied to purchase hundreds of tonnes, intending to distribute the rice across local supermarkets and affiliated outlets. However, despite high demand, the government has yet to announce an official release date. Authorities are currently coordinating adjustments to the distribution process, citing unresolved issues in logistics, storage, and transport.
One practical issue receiving particular attention is the rice’s polishing process. The stockpiled rice is currently in a raw, unpolished state—also known as brown rice—meaning that before it reaches consumers, it must undergo hulling and polishing to become white rice. This process removes the outer bran layer, which, while nutritious, can affect taste and texture. Without polishing, the rice has a firmer texture and a nuttier flavor, characteristics some consumers may not prefer. In Kansai, some stores have introduced coin-operated milling machines to allow consumers to polish the rice themselves, offering settings ranging from lightly milled to fully polished. The process takes just over two minutes for 10 kilograms and results in a weight loss of about 10 percent due to the removal of the bran.
The need to polish the rice adds another layer of complexity to the distribution effort. Some retailers, such as Fresco in Kyoto and Cainz Home Center, are still considering how best to handle the product, including whether to offer pre-polished rice or let customers choose milling options in-store. Officials also noted that some rice processors lack the capacity or equipment to handle large-scale polishing, requiring coordination with specialized firms.
The rice, offered at well below market price, is being positioned as a short-term relief measure to address inflation and rising household expenses. Minister Koizumi previously noted that related costs—including water and storage—bring the total value closer to 10,000 yen per lot, but the discounted release aims to increase accessibility for pensioners and price-conscious households. Still, logistical issues remain. Supermarkets are reporting difficulties in in-car storage and are urging the government to accelerate final decisions on packaging, labeling, and transportation routes.
Consumer interest has been further heightened by live broadcasts demonstrating the milling process and explaining the rice’s characteristics. In one such broadcast from Osaka, the rice’s transformation from long, thin brown grains into bright white rice was shown in real time, emphasizing its freshness and appeal once milled.
Meanwhile, authorities are urging caution against fraudulent online sellers advertising rice at suspiciously low prices. The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan has warned the public to check seller credentials carefully and avoid websites lacking clear contact information.
While the initiative has generated widespread enthusiasm, especially among cost-conscious consumers, officials caution that full-scale rollout will depend on the resolution of outstanding issues in polishing, labeling, transport, and distribution. Further announcements are expected in the coming weeks as preparations continue for what could be one of the most significant rice releases in recent years.
Source: YOMIURI
