Japan's rice prices rise for 1st time in 10 weeks

TOKYO: The average retail price of rice sold at supermarkets across Japan rose to 3,625 yen (about 24.6 U.S. dollars) per 5 kg during the week ending July 27, marking the first increase in 10 weeks, official data showed.

During the week of July 21 to July 27, prices increased by 40 yen compared to the previous week, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

The ministry attributed the rise to a slowdown in the pace of government stockpile rice being released, which had been placing downward pressure on market prices in previous weeks.

Blended rice varieties, which often include stockpiled rice, saw an average price of 3,133 per yen per 5 kg, up 45 yen from the week before, the data showed.

The ministry monitors and publishes weekly rice price data from approximately 1,000 supermarkets nationwide.