Rice prices in Japan continued to break new records with the average retail price for five kilograms of rice exceeding 4,000 yen (25.74 U.S. dollars) for 13 consecutive weeks, according to the data released by the Japanese government on Friday.
According to the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' survey involving about 1,000 supermarkets nationwide, the average price for a five-kilogram bag of rice reached 4,335 yen during the week ending on November 30, an increase of 23 yen compared to the previous week, surpassing the record high of 4,316 yen set in early November.
Starting in the summer of 2024, rice prices in Japan have continued to rise due to factors such as poor harvests caused by extreme heat.
After Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office in October, newly-appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Norikazu Suzuki opposed releasing reserve rice into the market. He instead proposed to distribute rice coupons to specific groups such as low-income households.
Some cities have already begun issuing these coupons. In certain regions, however, the labor and postage costs involved in the procedure exceed the coupons' face value, raising questions about the practice's effectiveness.
With skyrocketing rice prices, many Japanese people can no longer afford the essential staple food, and they are forced to switch to cheaper alternatives like bread, noodles and other wheat-based food.
Rice prices in Japan hit record high
Palestine appreciates China's constructive role in promoting the political settlement of the Palestinian issue, Ambassador of Palestine to China Jawad Mohammed Qutish Awad said in Beijing on Friday.
When jointly meeting the press with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing on Thursday, President Xi Jinping announced China will provide 100 million U.S. dollars of assistance to Palestine to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support its recovery and reconstruction.
"Following two years of devastating war, over 90 percent of Gaza Strip's housing, infrastructure, hospitals, roads, and universities have been destroyed. China has consistently supported Palestine in various fields such as politics, economy, and development. This generous donation comes as timely aid for the Palestinian government and people," said the ambassador in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV).
More than 70,000 Palestinian people have been killed since the conflict in Gaza erupted on Oct 7, 2023, with millions suffering from extreme poverty and catastrophic hunger.
China has reiterated its support for the Palestinian liberation cause on multiple international occasions, firmly believing that the two-state solution remains the only realistic path to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli issue.
Through channels including the United Nations, Egypt, and Jordan, China has provided multiple batches of emergency humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip and extended material and financial support to the Palestinian Authority and other relevant parties. China has also emphasized that it is important to uphold the principle of "the Palestinians governing Palestine" in the post-conflict governance of Gaza.
"We attach great importance to China's support for the two-state solution. Without the establishment of the State of Palestine, regional stability cannot be achieved. Gaza must be an inalienable part of the future Palestinian state. I would also like to reiterate here that the State of Palestine firmly supports the one-China principle," Jawad said.
China, one of the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine, established the strategic partnership with Palestine in 2023.
After countries including the United Kingdom, France, and Canada recognized the State of Palestine in September this year, the number of countries in the international community recognizing the State of Palestine has reached nearly 160, accounting for over 81 percent of the United Nations member states.
An increasing number of countries are looking to advance a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza through cooperation.
Jawad said that the China-proposed Global Governance Initiative offers the international community a more effective path to resolving the Palestinian issue.
"This initiative aligns with the strategic agreements between Palestine and China, contributing to ending Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory and establishing the State of Palestine across all Palestinian territory. Without a just resolution to the Palestinian issue, neither the world nor the Middle East can achieve stability. The key to a just resolution lies in the implementation of international law," he said.
Palestine appreciates China's role in promoting Israeli-Palestinian peace process: ambassador
