Rice prices in Japan have hit record highs for the fifth consecutive month. The average cost for rice sold to wholesalers by agricultural cooperatives and others rose 69 percent in January compared to a year earlier.



The agriculture ministry says the average price of 60 kilograms of rice in all brands stood at 25,927 yen, or about 170 dollars. That's up about 8 dollars from December, and the highest since the ministry began collecting such data in 2006.



By variety, the price of Nanatsuboshi from Hokkaido increased 88 percent year-on-year. That was followed by Akitakomachi from Akita Prefecture, which went up 80 percent, and Hitomebore from Iwate Prefecture, which rose 67 percent.



The ministry attributes the price surge to competition among buyers to secure supplies.



The government has been taking steps to release rice from its stockpiles to stabilize distribution.



Officials say the measures have not yet been reflected in the latest survey on rice prices.