In light of escalating rice prices and shortages, Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Shinjiro Koizumi, has announced that the government is deliberating the release of rice reserves to producers of sake and miso. He underscored the multifaceted utility of rice, necessitating a holistic approach. With approximately 300,000 tons of rice reserves still available, the government intends to allocate a portion for this specific purpose. Minister Koizumi affirmed that he will convene with relevant industries next week to devise countermeasures. Should the need arise, an unrestricted quantity of rice reserves will be made available, and the option of importing rice will be explored to stabilize domestic rice prices.