New farm minister eyes 2,000 yen per 5 kg retail price for gov't rice

New farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Saturday that the government plans to sell its stockpiled rice to retailers through direct contracts, aiming to make it available in stores at 2,000 yen ($14) per 5 kilograms as soaring prices weigh on consumers.He added the reserve rice is expected to reach store shelves as early as June, with criticism mounting that the government has failed to curb a spike in rice prices, hurting households as inflation continues to outpace wage growth.Koizumi, who assumed his post on Wednesday after his predecessor resigned following a remark about gifts of rice f…READ FULL ARTICLE