TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government will ease its policy on releasing stockpiled rice as a step to counter rising prices, altering the current stance of limiting discharge to times of poor harvests, the farm ministry said Friday.

Under the proposed policy, the government will sell the rice to major distributors, such as the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations, on condition that the government buy back the same amount within a year.

The ministry also plans to expand the scope of its survey on inventory to farmers and small wholesalers in addition to agricultural cooperatives to obtain accurate stock in the private sector, it said.

The envisioned policy will permit releases when "smooth circulation is disrupted" in addition to times when production of the crop drops remarkably.

If the measure is taken, it could increase supply and lead to lower prices. Details such as prices of the stockpiled rice and its volume to be released will be determined later, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Competition for rice procurement has intensified since last summer, with the amount secured by major distributors as of the end of November falling 170,000 tons from the previous year, although the 2024 rice harvest increased by 180,000 tons.

The move is believed to be have been caused by some small-scale traders and farmers holding onto inventory in anticipation of further price increases, according to ministry officials.

In the new system, the government will sell stockpiled rice to agricultural cooperatives and others upon request so they can sell it to wholesalers who have a shortage. The rice is expected be later supplied to retailers such as supermarkets.