A supermarket in Nagasaki City, western Japan, has begun selling rice produced in Taiwan, as the staple grain produced domestically remains expensive and is in short supply.



The supermarket has been struggling with a shortage of rice even after the Japanese government started releasing its stockpiles.



The store says it has received only 180 five-kilogram bags of stockpiled rice since last month, and they sold out soon after they hit the shelves.



To make up for the shortfall, the store began offering Taiwanese rice in late April.



About 20 bags were stacked at the store on Tuesday, but some shoppers said they would rather buy Japanese rice even at higher prices.



Due to the shortage of domestically produced rice, Japan's February rice imports by the private sector went well above such imports in fiscal 2023.



But agriculture minister Eto Taku remains cautious about the increase of rice imports. He said in April that rice is the main staple Japan can self-support, and if Japan relies on supplies from overseas, domestic rice production would sharply decrease. He said he wants all people to consider whether it is in the national interest.