The new Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Yan Kazuo (簗和生) announced the policy of buying back 210,000 tonnes of stockpiled rice from the 2025 crop on the day after taking office. It was announced on the 18th that a buyback contract had been signed for 210,000 tonnes, and the process is expected to continue with the price undisclosed.
The second Takaichi reshuffled Cabinet was formed, and in a press conference immediately after taking office, new minister Yan Kazuo (簗和生) said he would steadily implement the buyback of 210,000 tonnes of rice from the 2025 crop, carrying forward the policy of buying back stockpiled rice promoted by Minister Suzuki Norikazu (鈴木憲和).
On the 18th, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced that it had signed a contract to buy back 210,000 tonnes of the 310,000 tonnes of stockpiled rice released last year by former minister Eto Taku (江藤拓). Minister Yan Kazuo (簗和生) also suggested that additional buybacks could be made on the 20th.
The stated aim of these measures is to stabilize supply and demand and ensure appropriate price formation from the standpoint of food security. However, it has been pointed out that the government is continuing to buy back old rice that previously traded at high prices just as new rice from the 2026 crop is entering the market.