Farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s aggressive tactics to lower the price of rice has left many farming communities feeling frustrated and abandoned — and that discontent may be reflected in Sunday’s vote. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/17/japan/politics/yamagata-election/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #shinjirokoizumi #yamagata #ldp #sanseito #cdp #dpp #jcp #2025upperhouseelection #rice #agriculture
Only two months into his role as agriculture minister, Shinjiro Koizumi has become the face of a risky political bet by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/16/japan/politics/koizumi-election-focus/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #shinjirokoizumi #ldp #2025upperhouseelection #rice #agriculture
The agriculture ministry said Wednesday that it forecasts "frequent" outbreaks of stink bug varieties that cause issues with rice crops in many parts of the country. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/10/japan/japan-rice-pest-outbreak-fear/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #rice #agriculture#maff
The Bank of Japan could revise its inflation view upward this month, according to Junko Koeda, one of the central bank's newest board member. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/07/09/economy/new-boj-board-member-price-outlook/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy #boj #inflation #rice #tariffs #us #japaneseeconomy #food #junkokoeda #kazuoueda
Japan will release its stockpiled rice for use in processed foods and beverages such as miso, rice crackers, sake and shōchū distilled spirits, starting in August. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/05/japan/stockpile-rice-processed-foods-august/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #shinjirokoizumi #agriculture #rice #food #inflation
For more than half a century, the Japanese government has encouraged rice farmers to grow less of the crop so that prices remain relatively high and stable. Now the country is preparing for a reversal. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/05/japan/rice-production-reversal/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #rice#maff #agriculture #ldp #shigeruishiba #niigata #inflation
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a fresh tariff level on Japan, while his top economic adviser said the White House aims to finalize deals with partners after the July 4 holiday. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/07/01/economy/trump-japan-tariffs-hassett-july-4/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy#kevinhassett #rice #usjapanrelations #us #donaldtrump #trade #tariffs
Recent pressure on Japan by the United States to import more American rice, soybeans and maize is of special concern to Hokkaido. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/06/30/economy/rice-soybeans-concern/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy #rice #tariffs #donaldtrump #hokkaido #agriculture
Private-sector rice imports to Japan are soaring as domestic rice prices remain high, with May imports up 125 times compared to the average last year. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/28/japan/foreign-rice-imports-up/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #rice #trade #tariffs#maff #shinjirokoizumi #inflation
Japan's private-sector rice imports rocketed higher in May as the country grapples with supply shortages that have become a major headache for both consumers and policymakers. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/06/27/japan-rice-imports-soar/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #rice #trade #food
Japanese bento shop bankruptcies could hit a record in 2025 as inflation, weak economic growth and work-at-home arrangements lead to a decline in sales, lower profits and losses. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/06/24/companies/bento-bankruptcies/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #companies #surveys #bankruptcy #bento #japaneseeconomy #economicindicators #rice #inflation
The average price of rice at about 1,000 supermarkets across Japan in the week through June 15 was ¥3,920 per 5 kilograms, below ¥4,000 for the first time since the week ended March 2, the agriculture ministry has said. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/24/japan/japan-rice-price-falls-below-4000/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #rice #inflation#maff #shinjirokoizumi