Japan gov't to release additional 200,000 tons from rice stockpiles

Japan plans to release another 200,000 tons of rice from government stockpiles through direct contracts with retailers, farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Tuesday, in the latest effort to curb elevated prices of the staple food.The released rice will consist of 100,000 tons each from the 2020 and 2021 harvests. Koizumi said he expects the 2020 rice to be sold in stores at 1,700 yen ($12) per 5 kilograms.The move will leave the country with a rice reserve of around 100,000 tons, down from about 910,000 tons before the government began releasing stocks through auctions in March and April.A s…READ FULL ARTICLE