Aeon to market California rice as cheaper option with light texture
Aeon Co. announced plans to sell lower-priced rice imported from California nationwide, a move the U.S. ambassador to Japan called 'historic,' as prices of the nation's staple crop remain double those of last year.
'For Japan's largest supermarket chain to offer 100-percent U.S.-grown Calrose rice in its stores across the country is truly a historic moment,' George Glass said at a launch event held at his official residence in Tokyo on May 13.
A 4-kilogram package of Karoyaka brand rice will be available at a tax-inclusive 2,894 yen ($20), about 15 percent cheaper than the nationwide average, Aeon officials said.
The company plans to sell about 14,000 tons mainly in urban areas, where rice is in short supply. Sales will start in phases from June 6.
Aeon said the Californian rice will offer Japanese households an alternative to short-grain varieties mainly consumed in the country.
The medium-grain Calrose, light in texture, goes well with pilaf and risotto dishes, as well as Asian cuisine, officials said.
The Karoyaka rice is cheaper than domestic varieties despite a tariff of 341 yen per kilogram.
Aeon decided to sell bags of 100-percent U.S. rice following strong sales of its Japanese-U.S. blended rice introduced in April.
Japan has protected its rice market by levying a tariff on foreign imports, saying domestic production is crucial for the nation's food security.
The United States has long complained about access to Japan's rice market.
U.S. President Donald Trump falsely claimed that Tokyo is imposing a 700-percent tariff on U.S. rice after he returned to the White House in January.
The government is considering increasing imports of U.S. rice to win concessions from Washington in ongoing negotiations on U.S. tariffs.
(This article was written by Sho Ito and Shiki Iwasawa.)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
an hour ago
Summer Bonuses at Major Japanese Firms Hit New Record
News from Japan Economy Jul 3, 2025 20:24 (JST) Tokyo, July 3 (Jiji Press)--Summer bonuses at major Japanese companies this year rose 4.37 pct from last year to hit a new record high amid the rising cost of living, a report by the Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, showed Thursday. The weighted average summer bonus among the surveyed companies stood at 990,848 yen, the highest since comparable data began in 1981, according to Keidanren's first tally of this year's summer bonuses. The average was up for the fourth straight year on a first-tally basis. Keidanren said that the result reconfirmed the strong momentum for wage increases. The initial tally covered a total of 107 companies from 18 industries, including 93 manufacturers and 14 nonmanufacturers. Manufacturers posted an average of 1,035,889 yen, up 4.49 pct, while nonmanufacturers logged 857,602 yen, up 3.76 pct. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
Kyodo News
an hour ago
- Kyodo News
Japan seeks 8th round of tariffs talks in U.S. amid Trump impasse
TOKYO - The Japanese government has informed the United States that its chief negotiator intends to conduct an eighth round of ministerial-level talks in Washington early next week, a source close to the matter said Thursday. With President Donald Trump appearing to harden his stance ahead of next Wednesday's deadline for his administration's 90-day pause on country-specific tariffs, Japan's last-ditch effort will hinge on whether Ryosei Akazawa can secure a deal that includes a reduced tariff rate on cars, the source said. In rounds of talks since April, the United States has been reluctant to accept Tokyo's request to withdraw or reduce the additional 25 percent tariff on cars. Amid the stalemate, Japan is seeking an extension of the tariff suspension deadline to allow talks to continue. Trump, however, on Tuesday floated the idea of raising tariffs on imports from Japan to as high as 30 or 35 percent, while complaining about Japan's purchases of American rice and cars. "I'm not sure we're going to make a deal. I doubt it," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, calling Japan "very tough" and "very spoiled." The dispute over auto tariffs has been a key obstacle to a deal, with Washington also pressuring its Asian security ally to boost imports of U.S. farm products, including rice, cars and oil, to help reduce its large trade deficit. In return, Japan has highlighted its contributions to the U.S. economy and proposed a package deal that includes increased investment in the United States and cooperation on economic security, the source said. Without an extension to the 90-day pause on part of the so-called reciprocal tariffs, Japan will face an additional 14 percent country-specific tariff on top of the 10 percent baseline duty the United States has imposed on imports from all countries. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is aiming to make progress in the tariff talks as campaigning for the House of Councillors election kicked off Thursday. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week that the United States warned Japanese officials during talks in late May that it might demand a cap on the number of vehicles Japan could export to the United States -- a policy known as a voluntary export restriction, citing people familiar with the matter. But Japanese officials held firm, telling their U.S. counterparts they would not accept any deal that preserves Trump's 25 percent automotive tariff, resulting in a deadlock in the negotiations, the U.S. newspaper said.
The Mainichi
an hour ago
- The Mainichi
US military apologizes over Okinawa sexual assault by serviceman
NAHA, Japan (Kyodo) -- A senior U.S. military official apologized to the Okinawa prefectural government on Thursday over a 2024 sexual assault case involving a serviceman, saying the incident had caused anxiety among local residents as well as the victim. Col. Neil Owens, chief of staff for the 3rd Marine Division, offered the apology, during a visit to the Okinawa prefectural office, a little over a week after Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton was sentenced to seven years in prison in late June. Clayton, 22, has been accused of injuring a woman in her 20s by choking her while attempting to rape her. He has since appealed the ruling. Several sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel in the southern Japanese prefecture have come to light since June last year. Owens' apology was the first formal one from U.S. forces to the prefectural government following the incidents, according to local officials. The U.S. military suggested continuing a joint patrol with Japanese police as a measure to prevent a recurrence of sexual crimes. "It was a vicious incident that ignores the human rights of women," said Masahito Tamari, director general of the Okinawa governor's office, adding he could not help but question the internal governance of the U.S. forces. According to the Naha District Court's ruling, Clayton choked the woman from behind in Yomitan in May 2024 and attempted to have sexual intercourse by unbuttoning her pants. She suffered eye injuries that required about two weeks of treatment. The prefecture hosts the bulk of U.S. military installations in Japan, and anti-base sentiment runs deep due to aircraft noise, pollution and crimes committed by American service members.
