TOKYO, Jul 09 (News On Japan) –
As rice costs throughout Japan proceed to stay excessive, main comfort retailer chain Lawson has begun promoting rice balls made completely with aged rice for the primary time, beginning on July ninth.
At a manufacturing facility in Kanagawa Prefecture, staff have been seen shaping freshly steamed 2023-harvest rice into the acquainted triangle kind. The product, branded as a “salt rice ball,” is being rolled out throughout roughly 250 shops in central Tokyo, priced at 127 yen—22 yen cheaper than these made with newly harvested rice.
A buyer in Tokyo commented, “Rice balls are costly now. One thing within the 120-yen vary feels reasonably priced. It’s an excellent possibility once you’re deciding between that and a cup noodle.”
Though the typical retail worth of rice in supermarkets has fallen again to ranges seen round 5 months in the past, costs stay roughly 1.6 instances greater than final 12 months. In response, different comfort retailer operators are additionally contemplating the usage of authorities stockpiled rice in merchandise reminiscent of boxed meals.
Supply: TBS
