Author: Japan Reacts Editorial

A Nikkei report claiming that “2025-harvest rice stocks have piled up, and wholesale prices have fallen to half of last autumn’s level” became a hot topic on 5ch. In the thread, users vented resentment at the rice wholesalers who made a killing during last year’s price spike, and pointed out that demand which shifted to noodles and bread won’t easily come back. At the same time, some worried that if prices fall too far, farmers will simply give up growing rice altogether.

Nikkei (Nikkei Digital Edition)

@nikkei

Rice price slide shows no sign of stopping, now half of last autumn’s level — 2025-harvest stockpiles pile up

Source: nikkei.com / Original article here

93AnonymousAug 23, 2026 23:52

Peaked out last October and it's been sliding ever since
This is straight-up The Big Short

*This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Nandemo Jikkyo G) thread “[Sad News] Rice Wholesalers Furious: “Nothing Left But to Sell at a Loss” — Prices Head to Half of Last Year’s.”

Reports that the Bank of Japan is exploring an additional rate hike in September or October split opinion on a 5ch thread over the appropriate interest rate level and its side effects. Some called for rates as high as Turkey’s, while the discussion also spread to the impact on people with variable-rate mortgages, Governor Ueda’s remaining term, and the funding problem facing the Takaichi administration.

The Bank of Japan is considering accelerating the pace of its rate hikes. It has raised the policy rate roughly once every six months, but is now exploring an additional hike in September or October without much gap since the previous hike in June. If the BOJ falls behind on tackling inflation, pressure for renewed yen depreciation and rising rates could intensify again, so markets are closely watching a string of remarks from BOJ officials starting this week.

Raising rates faster than “once every six months”

“If we don’t accelerate the pace of rate hikes, prices will overshoot and it will be a major drag on the economy,” “Shortening the six-month interval…” (continues in the paid version, 1,731 characters remaining)

Source: nikkei.com / Original article here

*This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Breaking News+) thread “[BOJ] Weighs Faster Rate Hikes as Markets Eye 2%: The Heavy Burden of Averting a Yen and Rate Shock.”