September 17, 2021

Heads of the Prefectural Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives (JA Chuokai) in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region (Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima) have published a written request demanding the implementation of urgent government measures to prevent a rice-price collapse due to the drop in domestic consumption of rice induced by the pandemic.

Since the coronavirus outbreak, as part of COVID-19 restrictions, the temporary closure or shortened business hours have been imposed on eating establishments which sharply reduced the domestic consumption of rice, leading to excessive stocks. In Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, as of the end of June, the amount of rice stocked in private warehouses stood at 2.19 million tons, exceeding the government-set appropriate level of 1.8-2 million tons.

As keys to prevent a possible rice-price collapse, the seven prefectural JA Chuokai heads in their document demanded that the government purchase the overstock of rice harvested in FY 2020 as an emergency stockpile for the purpose of controlling the market price and utilize the purchased rice for food assistance to individuals and families adversely affected by the pandemic. The seven also demanded the examination and revision of the nation’s rice policies.

Similarly, the Japan Family Farmers Movement (Nouminren) and the Japanese Communist Party have urged the government to take measures to reduce the risk of a potential decline in the rice price.

Nouminren since last spring has repeatedly requested the government to increase its purchase of rice for an emergency stockpile in order to stabilize the market price and provide food assistance to struggling individuals and families. It visited JA locals across Japan to exchange views on this matter.

The JCP Dietmembers’ group worked hard on this matter in the Diet and pushed the Agriculture Ministry to take action.

Nouminren President Hasegawa Toshio said, “JA’s demand is the same as ours. We will work to strengthen collaboration with the JA and concerned citizens in order to realize our mutual demands.”