Overview
- Official MAFF data show the nationwide 5‑kg average at ¥4,328 for Oct. 27–Nov. 2, up ¥49 week over week and back in the ¥4,300s for the first time in about five months.
- A separate MAFF supermarket sample put the weekly average at ¥4,235, up ¥27; the two figures differ because they track different retailer sets and methods.
- Branded rice averaged ¥4,540 per 5 kg, the highest since the series began in February, marking a 13th straight weekly increase driven by new‑crop pricing.
- Government reserve rice continues to be released, but thinner distribution is limiting its cooling effect, with participating‑store averages at ¥3,420 per 5 kg.
- Cumulative reserve‑rice sales reached 181,610 tons through Nov. 2, while blend‑type rice averaged ¥3,556 and accounted for 31% of sales volume.