Are rice tickets the answer to alleviating household budget pressure?

As rice prices continue to climb across Japan, the government is exploring rice tickets as an option to give a bit of budget breathing space. They're already being distributed in some areas, such as Taito Ward in Tokyo, and the idea is to help low-income households cope with the rising cost of the staple food.

Under PM Takaichi's new administration, farm minister Norikazu Suzuki has said the government will consider expanding this support through local grants. It's not exactly a new concept since rice tickets have apparently been around for decades, but their comeback reflects how seriously the government is taking food price inflation.

In saying that, experts are noting that rice tickets won't actually lower the market price of rice. Instead, they function more like a welfare measure, providing some relief to those most affected by rising costs. With retail prices hovering around ¥4,200 for 5 kilograms (and expected to stay in that range until next year's harvest), the support could definitely make a difference for struggling households.