NHK has learned that the Japanese government plans to relax the bidding conditions for the purchase of its stockpiled rice in a bid to avoid shortages of the staple food.



Agriculture ministry officials have been considering revising the rules because rice prices remain high even after the government started releasing stockpiles in March. The average retail price is almost double what it was a year ago.



Currently, the government in principle buys back the same amount of rice it sold to wholesalers within a year. Wholesalers can only take part in stockpiled rice auctions if they agree to the buyback rule.



The agriculture ministry plans to extend the buyback deadline by several years.



It aims to ensure more rice is available for consumers by extending the deadline, and hopes to ease concerns about future rice shortages.



Meanwhile, the government is expected to release about 100,000 tons of stockpiled rice monthly through July. It is considering giving priority at auctions to wholesalers that plan to distribute rice to retailers.