Lower-priced reserve rice released

WATARI, Japan, May 29 Kyodo - Rice stockpiles are delivered to household equipment maker Iris Ohyama Inc.'s rice polishing plant in Watari in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 29, 2025. The Japanese government launched a new scheme to release lower-priced reserve rice harvested in 2021 and 2022 via direct contracts with retailers -- not by the previous auction-based method -- to curb elevated rice prices. (Kyodo)

Lower-priced reserve rice released

Lower-priced reserve rice released

Rice stockpiles are delivered to household equipment maker Iris Ohyama Inc.'s rice polishing plant in Watari in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 29, 2025. The Japanese government launched a new scheme to release lower-priced reserve rice harvested in 2021 and 2022 via direct contracts with retailers -- not by the previous auction-based method -- to curb elevated rice prices.

Lower-priced reserve rice released

Lower-priced reserve rice released

Rice stockpiles are delivered to household equipment maker Iris Ohyama Inc.'s rice polishing plant in Watari in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 29, 2025. The Japanese government launched a new scheme to release lower-priced reserve rice harvested in 2021 and 2022 via direct contracts with retailers -- not by the previous auction-based method -- to curb elevated rice prices.

Lower-priced reserve rice released

Lower-priced reserve rice released

Rice stockpiles are delivered to household equipment maker Iris Ohyama Inc.'s rice polishing plant in Watari in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 29, 2025. The Japanese government launched a new scheme to release lower-priced reserve rice harvested in 2021 and 2022 via direct contracts with retailers -- not by the previous auction-based method -- to curb elevated rice prices.

Lower-priced reserve rice released

Lower-priced reserve rice released

Rice stockpiles are delivered to household equipment maker Iris Ohyama Inc.'s rice polishing plant in Watari in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 29, 2025. The Japanese government launched a new scheme to release lower-priced reserve rice harvested in 2021 and 2022 via direct contracts with retailers -- not by the previous auction-based method -- to curb elevated rice prices.

New coronavirus

New coronavirus

Akihiro Oyama, president of household equipment maker Iris Ohyama Inc., meets the press at its factory in Kakuda, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 20, 2020. Preparations for making face masks were under way at the factory the same day, as Japan braces for possible second wave of coronavirus infections. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

New coronavirus

New coronavirus

Preparations for making face masks are under way at household equipment maker Iris Ohyama Inc.'s factory in Kakuda, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 20, 2020, as Japan braces for possible second wave of coronavirus infections. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo