The government is considering releasing stockpiled rice to support sake brewers and processors facing high sake rice prices and shortages. Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Koizumi has stated that "we have to think of some kind of response" in response to feedback from the frontline that sake rice is expensive and in short supply, and that he will "consider all options," including the 300,000 tons of rice currently in stockpiles that have not yet been released out of the current 910,000 tons.
310,000 tons have already been released through competitive bidding and 300,000 tons through voluntary contracts, and may be supplied to sake makers and processors such as miso makers in the future. With some sake breweries nearly abandoning continued production due to the rice shortage, it is hoped that this policy will provide support to the industry.
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