TOKYO, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The average price of rice at supermarkets across Japan continued to rise, reaching 3,892 yen (about 26.05 U.S. dollars) per 5 kg in the week ending Feb. 16, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.

This marks a 62-yen increase from the previous week and a 90-percent rise compared to the same period last year.

Supermarket rice prices have been climbing for seven consecutive weeks despite the government's plan to release reserve rice to stabilize prices.

Japan's government announced earlier that it plans to release 210,000 tons of rice reserves into the market as soaring prices continue to strain household budgets.

The reserve rice will be sold through a bidding process, with an initial release of 150,000 tons set to begin in mid-March. The quantity for subsequent rounds will be determined based on an assessment of rice distribution conditions.

As price rises showed no signs of easing, concerns are growing among farmers and wholesalers in Japan that the soaring prices could lead to declining consumer demand. Enditem

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