Japan farm minister vows to halve prices as rice crisis drags on

Government eyes no-bid contracts with major retailers and e-commerce platforms

Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, right, says the government can bring rice prices down to 2,000 yen per 5 kilograms. (Source photos obtained by Nikkei)

KYOKO TAMADA

May 24, 2025 05:58 JST

TOKYO --Japan's newly appointed agriculture minister on Friday pledged to quickly bring down rice prices to 2,000 yen ($14) per 5 kilograms, promising relief to inflation-hit consumers.

The government will release government-stockpiled rice through no-bid contracts with major retailers, Shinjiro Koizumi said on public broadcaster NHK.