Economic news(2025/05/27)
Agriculture Minister Koizumi suspends purchase requests for stockpiled rice "up to planned amount"
2025-05-27 23:55:00
On the evening of the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi updated his social media accounts and announced that the government would temporarily suspend accepting applications for the sale of stockpiled rice through discretionary contracts, stating that the government has been inundated with applications from retailers and that the limit for the sale of stockpiled rice for the 2022 harvest is expected to be reached.
TOP
Agriculture Minister Koizumi suspends purchase requests for stockpiled rice "up to planned amount"
2025-05-27 23:03:00
On the evening of the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi updated his social media accounts and announced that the government would temporarily suspend accepting applications for the sale of stockpiled rice through discretionary contracts, stating that the government has been inundated with applications from retailers and that the limit for the sale of stockpiled rice for the 2022 harvest is expected to be reached.
TOP
Agriculture Minister Koizumi suspends purchase requests for stockpiled rice "up to planned amount"
2025-05-27 22:17:00
On the evening of the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi updated his SNS and announced that, as the planned amount of rice for the Reiwa 4 harvest is expected to reach its upper limit for the sale of stockpiled rice through discretionary contracts, applications for purchases of both the Reiwa 3 and Reiwa 4 harvests will be temporarily suspended. In this regard, Minister Koizumi stated, "We have been flooded with applications since this afternoon, and it appears that the total amount for the Reiwa 4 harvest will reach 200,000 tons. Applications from here on will be for Reiwa 3 rice, so we will suspend acceptance for the time being and resume after confirming whether or not you are okay with Reiwa 3 rice."
TOP
Agriculture Minister Koizumi: "More than 30 companies have applied to purchase stockpiled rice" - Delivery to begin as early as the 29th
2025-05-27 20:22:00
On the night of the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi updated his social media accounts regarding the sale of government stockpiled rice through discretionary contracts. In the post, he wrote, "Update on discretionary contract for stockpiled rice. Over 30 companies have applied, about 150,000 tons," revealing that over 30 companies have applied to purchase. He then wrote in another post, "Next, we plan to target local rice shops and small and medium-sized supermarkets. First round: major retailers. Second round: small and medium-sized supermarkets and local rice shops. We will be flexible in our response," indicating his intention to expand the scope of sales through discretionary contracts to include small and medium-sized supermarkets, provided that they handle over 10,000 tons per year.
TOP
Agriculture Minister Koizumi: "More than 30 companies have applied to purchase stockpiled rice" - Delivery to begin as early as the 29th
2025-05-27 19:34:00
On the night of the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi updated his social media accounts regarding the sale of government stockpiled rice through discretionary contracts. In the post, he wrote, "Update on discretionary contract for stockpiled rice. Over 30 companies have applied, about 150,000 tons," revealing that over 30 companies have applied to purchase. He then wrote in another post, "Next, we plan to target local rice shops and small and medium-sized supermarkets. First round: major retailers. Second round: small and medium-sized supermarkets and local rice shops. We will be flexible in our response," indicating his intention to expand the scope of sales through discretionary contracts to include small and medium-sized supermarkets, provided that they handle over 10,000 tons per year.
TOP
Yen market falls as yen selling trend spreads due to growing interest rate gap between Japan and the US
2025-05-27 19:24:00
On the 27th, the Tokyo foreign exchange market saw the yen fall in value as long-term interest rates in the bond market fell and the widening interest rate gap between Japan and the United States became a concern, leading to a widespread sell-off of the yen.
TOP
Agriculture Minister Koizumi: "19 businesses have applied to purchase stockpiled rice, delivery to begin as early as the 29th"
2025-05-27 18:06:00
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi revealed that 19 businesses had applied to purchase the government's stockpiled rice by 9 a.m. on the 27th. The contracts are expected to be completed on the 27th or 28th, with the stockpiled rice expected to be handed over as early as the 29th.
TOP
Why is domestic travel by Japanese people stagnating? What can be done?
2025-05-27 17:20:00
This year's Tourism White Paper was released on the 27th. While the number of foreign tourists continues to increase, domestic travel by Japanese people is stagnating, and the White Paper points out that measures are needed to increase the number of trips per person and lengthen stays.
TOP
Agriculture Minister Koizumi: "19 businesses have applied to purchase stockpiled rice, delivery to begin as early as the 29th"
2025-05-27 17:10:00
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi revealed that 19 businesses had applied to purchase the government's stockpiled rice by 9 a.m. on the 27th. The contracts are expected to be completed on the 27th or 28th, with the stockpiled rice expected to be handed over as early as the 29th.
TOP
Stock prices rise, yen weakens, and buy orders for export-related stocks increase
2025-05-27 16:17:00
On the Tokyo stock market on the 27th, the yen weakened in the foreign exchange market in the afternoon, and buying orders for export-related stocks such as automobiles increased, causing stock prices to rise.
TOP
Agriculture Minister Koizumi: "19 businesses have applied to purchase stockpiled rice, delivery to begin as early as the 29th"
2025-05-27 15:15:00
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi revealed that 19 businesses had applied to purchase the government's stockpiled rice by 9 a.m. on the 27th. The contracts are expected to be completed on the 27th or 28th, with the stockpiled rice expected to be handed over as early as the 29th.
TOP
Seven & i Holdings' Dacus to become first foreigner to take over as company president
2025-05-27 14:52:00
Seven & i Holdings, which is receiving an acquisition proposal from a major Canadian convenience store chain, held a general shareholders meeting on the 27th and passed resolutions including one to appoint outside director Steven Hayes Dacus as president, the first foreigner to do so.
TOP
[Video explanation] What will happen to the price of rice under discretionary contracts?
2025-05-27 14:25:00
The target retail price for the stockpiled rice being released this time is 2,000 yen (excluding tax) per 5 kg. Here we take a look at how they plan to achieve this 2,000 yen price in this video explanation.
TOP
Bank of Japan Governor Ueda: "High uncertainty over tariff measures, so make careful decisions regarding interest rate hikes"
2025-05-27 13:45:00
Speaking at an international conference on the 27th, Bank of Japan Governor Ueda noted that there is a high degree of uncertainty regarding the Trump administration's tariff measures, and reiterated his view that any further interest rate hikes in the future should be considered with great caution.
TOP
Agriculture Minister Koizumi: "19 businesses have applied to purchase stockpiled rice, delivery to begin as early as the 29th"
2025-05-27 13:41:00
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi revealed that 19 businesses had applied to purchase the government's stockpiled rice by 9 a.m. on the 27th. The contracts are expected to be completed on the 27th or 28th, with the stockpiled rice expected to be handed over as early as the 29th.
TOP
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to implement first "enhanced safety inspection system" for JR Hokkaido over safety management issues
2025-05-27 12:53:00
JR Hokkaido has been hit by a series of safety management problems since last year, and accidents have occurred even after it reported improvement measures. In response to this, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has become the first railway company in Japan to implement an "enhanced safety inspection system" that will conduct continuous and intensive safety inspections, and began inspections on the 27th.
TOP
Prime Minister Ishiba: "Impact of tariffs becoming apparent, all possible support needed" General Response Headquarters
2025-05-27 12:28:00
Regarding the tariff measures imposed by the Trump administration in the United States, Prime Minister Ishiba stated his intention to do everything possible to provide support, as the impact on domestic industries is becoming apparent. He also instructed Minister for Economic Revitalization Akazawa and others to work with relevant ministers to accelerate preparations to achieve results in the Japan-U.S. negotiations.
TOP
Agriculture Minister Koizumi: "19 businesses have applied to purchase stockpiled rice, delivery to begin as early as the 29th"
2025-05-27 12:03:00
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi revealed that 19 businesses had applied to purchase the government's stockpiled rice by 9 a.m. on the 27th. The contracts are expected to be completed on the 27th or 28th, with the stockpiled rice expected to be handed over as early as the 29th.
TOP
Stock prices fall slightly as yen strengthens, leading to sell orders for export-related stocks
2025-05-27 11:58:00
On the 27th, the Tokyo stock market saw the Nikkei average fall slightly as sell orders were placed on export-related stocks due to the yen's slight appreciation in the foreign exchange market.
TOP
Electricity and gas bills to be subsidized for three months from July, with a reduction of more than 1,000 yen per month
2025-05-27 11:45:00
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has announced the subsidies for electricity and gas bills that will be implemented for three months from July. For a standard household, the cost will be reduced by 1,260 yen in August, when the heat is expected to be at its worst, and 1,040 yen in July and September.
TOP
Japan's net external assets reach record high for sixth consecutive year, but are overtaken by Germany to become second in the world
2025-05-27 11:40:00
Japan's "net external assets," calculated by subtracting liabilities from assets held overseas, stood at just over 533 trillion yen as of the end of last year, the highest level on record for the sixth consecutive year. However, it was overtaken by Germany to become the world's second largest economy for the first time in 34 years, since the end of 1990.
TOP
"Japanese travel slows, measures needed" - "Tourism White Paper" released
2025-05-27 10:59:00
This year's Tourism White Paper, published on the 27th, noted that while the number of foreign tourists continues to grow, domestic travel by Japanese people remains sluggish, and that measures are needed to increase the number of trips per person and lengthen stays.
TOP
Agriculture Minister Koizumi: "19 businesses have applied to purchase stockpiled rice, delivery to begin as early as the 29th"
2025-05-27 10:58:00
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi revealed that by 9 a.m. on the 27th, 19 businesses had applied to purchase the government's stockpiled rice through discretionary contracts. The total amount of stockpiled rice that had been applied for was over 90,000 tons. Contracts with the earliest businesses will be completed on the 27th or 28th, and the stockpiled rice is expected to be handed over as early as the 29th.
TOP
Japan's net external assets reach record high for sixth consecutive year, but are overtaken by Germany to become second in the world
2025-05-27 10:46:00
Japan's "net external assets," calculated by subtracting liabilities from assets held overseas, stood at just over 533 trillion yen as of the end of last year, the highest level on record for the sixth consecutive year. However, it was overtaken by Germany to become the world's second largest economy for the first time in 34 years, since the end of 1990.
TOP
Services aimed at foreign tourists for "empty-handed sightseeing" are becoming more popular
2025-05-27 07:30:00
The delivery industry is seeing an increase in services aimed at foreign tourists allowing them to go "empty-handed" by temporarily storing their luggage and sending it to their homes.
TOP
Domestic manufacturers also begin full-scale production of EV route buses in response to decarbonization
2025-05-27 06:03:00
As demand for electric vehicle (EV) buses increases in response to the need for decarbonization, domestic bus manufacturers have begun full-scale production.
TOP
Will Seven & i Holdings' focus on convenience stores be understood at today's shareholders meeting?
2025-05-27 06:00:00
Seven & i Holdings, which has received a takeover proposal from a major Canadian convenience store chain, will hold a shareholders' meeting on the 27th. The company is trying to increase its corporate value by focusing on its core convenience store business, and attention is focused on whether it can gain the understanding of shareholders regarding its future management policy.
TOP
Volvo Cars to cut about 3,000 jobs in response to poor performance
2025-05-27 05:33:00
Swedish car manufacturer Volvo Cars has announced that it will cut about 3,000 jobs, or 7% of its global workforce. The move comes as the company is trying to address its sluggish performance amid uncertainty over the impact of the Trump administration's tariff policies.
TOP
Government considers further proposals to encourage understanding of cabinet ministers as it reviews U.S. tariff measures
2025-05-27 05:16:00
Regarding the US tariff measures, the government is coordinating to hold the next ministerial negotiations this week. The government is considering further proposals to encourage understanding, hoping to create an environment in which a review of the tariff measures can be reported to President Trump after gaining understanding at the ministerial level.
TOP
Seven companies, including major supermarkets, apply to buy stockpiled rice under discretionary contract
2025-05-27 05:13:00
On the 26th, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries began accepting applications from businesses wishing to purchase stockpiled rice under discretionary contracts. Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Koizumi revealed on the night of the 26th that applications had been received from seven companies, including major supermarkets, and the focus will be on whether the target retail price of 2,000 yen excluding tax per 5 kilograms can be achieved as soon as possible.
TOP
Japan Post launches "Digital Address" to identify addresses using 7-digit alphanumeric characters
2025-05-27 05:01:00
Japan Post has announced that it has begun using "digital addresses" that identify addresses with seven-digit alphanumeric characters. Since the name of the building where you live and your room number will also be registered, it will be easier to enter destination addresses, etc.
TOP
