{
  "id": 8550353,
  "title": "Japan starts first rice buyback to replenish reserves",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/japan-starts-first-rice-buyback-to-replenish-reserves",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-19T21:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Qatar Tribune Business",
    "slug": "qatar-tribune-business",
    "url": "https://www.qatar-tribune.com/article/254733/business/japan-starts-first-rice-buyback-to-replenish-reserves"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has initiated the process to repurchase 210,000 tons of rice in order to replenish government reserves that were depleted during emergency releases in 2025. This marks the first such action since the establishment of the current stockpiling system in fiscal 2011. The ministry is in discussions with up to ten companies and organizations for potential contracts, which could be finalized on the same day if agreements on prices and terms are reached.\n\nThis move is a response to a shortage crisis that began in the summer of 2024, driving up the prices of the staple food. While the ministry stated that the buyback would not significantly affect price trends, it could support prices by reducing the amount of rice available in the market. The emergency release of 590,000 tons of rice reserves in 2025 left the government's stockpile at approximately 320,000 tons, which is much lower than the recommended level of around 1 million tons.\n\nThe rice for the latest buyback will be sourced from the 2025 crop, purchased from among the ten companies and organizations that bid and won a combined 310,000 tons of reserve rice in auctions held in March and April of the previous year. The National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations secured over 90 percent of the rice sold in the auctions and is expected to handle most of the buyback. The ministry will disclose the quantity purchased and the number of contracts after the buyback deals are completed.\n\nIn addition to the 210,000 tons of rice being sought this time, the ministry has already entered into contracts to purchase another 210,000 tons from the 2026 crop as part of its efforts to restore reserve levels.",
  "summary": "AgenciesJapan’s farm ministry on Friday began procedures to buy back 210,000 tons of rice to replenish government reserves drawn down by releases in 2025, the first such move since...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}