Soaring rice prices squeeze household budgets in Japan, sparking policy concerns

Persistent rice price hikes have increased the financial burden on Japanese people and raised public concerns about the country's rice policy.

The average price of rice in Japan has reached 4,267 yen per 5 kilos, remaining at an elevated level, according to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on Friday.

Calling the situation worrying, some residents have complained about the government's rice policy in interviews with the China Central Television (CCTV).

"I really think rice prices are too high now. Why not thinking more seriously to adopt truly sound grain policies? Is the government just playing it by ear? I really hope they can think things through in a serious and systematic manner," said a resident.

"Rice prices have been staying at a high level.  Looking at the government's current plans, I'm afraid they won't increase production. I feel that things are moving in a very bad direction. It's truly worrying," said another resident.

Tadao Koike, 55, runs a nearly century-old rice shop in Tokyo. His store currently sells about 80 varieties of rice, primarily from Japan's main rice-producing regions.

Koike told CCTV that the overall price of rice in his shop has jumped by 40 to 50 percent compared with that in 2024, which has led to a customer churn.

"In 2025, our customers generally said rice is too expensive. In 2024, even when prices rose somewhat, most customers would still say, 'this level of increase is acceptable.' But their reactions to 2025 rice prices were almost unanimously 'too expensive.' Some regular customers have indeed stopped coming. The prices are really too high. Thinking in their shoes, I completely understand that," he said.

In 2025, the Japanese government released a large number of reserve rice to stabilize prices and once changed the course toward boosting rice production. However, incumbent Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reversed the policy after taking office in October 2025, and the 50-year-old policy of reducing rice production only halted for four months.

Koike pointed out that the government's u-turns in production policy have sparked growing unease among rice producers.

"I feel pity for the producers. The government policies are not addressing the root issues, and rice production will continue to decrease. So, even if production increases temporarily, there will still be a shortage of rice in the long run. Ultimately, prices won't drop significantly and will likely remain high," Koike said.

Soaring rice prices squeeze household budgets in Japan, sparking policy concerns

Two movie stars expressed their strong confidence in the increasing role of films in boosted tourism across China through the "China Travel with Chinese Films" campaign, ahead of the first CMG Chinese Film Festival.

The festival, opened in Beijing on Friday evening, is expected to highlight, for the first time, the development and achievements of China's film industry from a media perspective.

In an interview with China Media Group (CMG), actress Zhang Ziyi, the event's image ambassador, and actor Liu Ye shared their views on the development of China's film industry.

"China's film industry was too exciting last year. The application of new technologies has not only encouraged filmmakers but also excited audiences. I read many suggestions from our netizens. Now that we have AI technology, they have told us many ways to make a film. It seemed that audiences were also taking part in the film just like us filmmakers," said Liu.

The "China Travel with Chinese Film" campaign, launched in February last year, has effectively driven tourism development across the country, as evidenced by one of Zhang's films.

"The significance of films is no longer merely to watch a touching story in a cinema. Now, audiences are traveling and tasting the delicacies of various places alongside the film. For instance, when we were shooting and promoting 'She's Got No Name' last year, there was a street where many tourists, including foreign travelers, came. So, Chinese films have brought prosperity to all walks of life," said Zhang.

Liu said it amazed him that a film could make a place known as a new tourist attraction, and it encouraged filmmakers to explore the industry's infinite possibilities.

"Many films boosted local cultural tourism. I never expected the power of film would be so great. When a film is loved by audiences, its shooting location becomes a more famous tourist attraction, attracting many people for local snacks and natural scenery. I think it is the happiest time for us filmmakers. We enjoy a larger space for creation, and audiences have greater enthusiasm for participation. Our future can be said to be full of boundless imagination," said Liu.

The CMG Chinese Film Festival, themed "Power of Spring," will present 21 awards.

Movie stars optimistic about films' role in boosting tourism