Delivery Of Stockpile Rice Begun

SAITAMA, JAPAN - MARCH 18: (NO SALES TO JAPANESE BROADCASTERS) Rice remains stored in a warehouse on March 18, 2025 in Saitama, Japan. The government of Japan has begun the handing over of the government stockpile rice to the rice collecting companies, on March 18. On the morning of March 18, handing over of the stockpile rice to the major rice collector "ZEN-NOH (National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations)"has begun, and ZEN-NOH then transported the stockpile rice from its warehouse in Saitama Prefecture, to the rice mills. The stockpile rice is expected to be on sale at supermarkets and other retailers by the end of March. ZEN-NOH has stated that it will sell the stockpile rice at the price which includes only the necessary expenses and has requested the wholesalers to sell the stockpile rice without labeling it as “stockpile rice”, in order to prevent the confusion such as the buying up of the stockpile rice. (Footage by Fuji Television Editorial/Getty Images)