After months of increasing rice prices, Japanese consumers may be finally getting some relief.
Data from Japan’s agriculture ministry revealed that the average price of a five-kg bag of rice had fallen to 3,920 yen ($27.03) for the week ending June 15, which marked the first time that rice had fallen below the 4,000-yen mark since the week that ended on March 2.
This was also the first time that rice prices came within the target set by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
In May, Ishiba promised to lower prices, reportedly saying he believed that “rice prices should be in the 3,000-yen range, since staying in the 4,000-yen range can’t be right.” Ishiba also reportedly told opposition lawmakers that he would take personal responsibility for the matter.
Rice has been a hot-button topic in Japan, with surging prices and shortages leading to empty shelves in supermarkets across the country.
