Tokyo, June 19, 2026 (AFP) - Japan rice prices fall for first time in 3.5 years: official

NAMPA / AFP
2026-06-19
Rice prices in Japan finally fell in May for the first time in three and half years, an government official said Friday, following sharp rises for the staple that put the government under huge pressure. Rice prices skyrocketed in 2024 and 2025 because of supply problems linked to multiple factors including hot weather and panic-buying after a "megaquake" warning two years ago. Combined with falling living standards and corruption scandals, this l......
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SWAKOPMUND, 18 June 2026 - Erongo Governor Natalia /Goagoses. 

(Photo contributed) NAMPA

SWAKOPMUND, 18 June 2026 - Erongo Governor Natalia /Goagoses. (Photo contributed) NAMPA

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OMATJETE, 16 June 2026 - Erongo Governor Natalia /Goagoses, during the launch of the Roads Authority’s mobile unit, Natis on Wheels. 

(Photo by: Chelva) NAMPA

OMATJETE, 16 June 2026 - Erongo Governor Natalia /Goagoses, during the launch of the Roads Authority’s mobile unit, Natis on Wheels. (Photo by: Chelva) NAMPA

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SWAKOPMUND, 18 June 2026 - Education officials, school principals, teachers, learners, community leaders and other stakeholders of education attending the Erongo Region Education conference to assess challenges facing the sector. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

SWAKOPMUND, 18 June 2026 - Education officials, school principals, teachers, learners, community leaders and other stakeholders of education attending the Erongo Region Education conference to assess challenges facing the sector. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

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WINDHOEK, 17 June 2026 - Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare pictured with Ovaherero Chief Professor Mutjinde Katjiua during a recent meeting in Windhoek. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA.

WINDHOEK, 17 June 2026 - Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare pictured with Ovaherero Chief Professor Mutjinde Katjiua during a recent meeting in Windhoek. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA.

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SWAKOPMUND, 17 June 2026 - Erongo Governor Natalia /Goagoses delivering her Sate of the Region Address. She is dressed in the uniform of the National Youth Service, in solidarity with the Namibian youth and their plight in fighting against unemployment. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

SWAKOPMUND, 17 June 2026 - Erongo Governor Natalia /Goagoses delivering her Sate of the Region Address. She is dressed in the uniform of the National Youth Service, in solidarity with the Namibian youth and their plight in fighting against unemployment. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

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SWAKOPMUND, 16 June 2026 - Erongo Governor Natalia ǀGoagoses during her State of the Region Address (SORA) stated that the C35 Swakopmund/Henties Bay/Uis Main Road, costing N.dollars 1.03 billion, was 86 per cent complete with 16 kilometres remaining.

(Photo by: Josephina Simeon) NAMPA

SWAKOPMUND, 16 June 2026 - Erongo Governor Natalia ǀGoagoses during her State of the Region Address (SORA) stated that the C35 Swakopmund/Henties Bay/Uis Main Road, costing N.dollars 1.03 billion, was 86 per cent complete with 16 kilometres remaining. (Photo by: Josephina Simeon) NAMPA

NAMPA
SWAKOPMUND, 16 June 2026 - Erongo Governor Natalia ǀGoagoses during her State of the Region Address (SORA) stated that the C35 Swakopmund/Henties Bay/Uis Main Road, costing N.dollars 1.03 billion, was 86 per cent complete with 16 kilometres remaining.

(Photo by: Josephina Simeon) NAMPA

SWAKOPMUND, 16 June 2026 - Erongo Governor Natalia ǀGoagoses during her State of the Region Address (SORA) stated that the C35 Swakopmund/Henties Bay/Uis Main Road, costing N.dollars 1.03 billion, was 86 per cent complete with 16 kilometres remaining. (Photo by: Josephina Simeon) NAMPA

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UIS, 16 June 2026 -

Uis in the Erongo Region, was upgraded from settlement to town status, becoming the region’s eighth local authority, ǀGoagoses said in her second State of the Region Address delivered in Swakopmund, with N.dollars 1 million allocated for an Infrastructure Master Plan and N.dollars 8.5 million for an ongoing bulk water pipeline.

(Photo by: Josephina Simeon) NAMPA

UIS, 16 June 2026 - Uis in the Erongo Region, was upgraded from settlement to town status, becoming the region’s eighth local authority, ǀGoagoses said in her second State of the Region Address delivered in Swakopmund, with N.dollars 1 million allocated for an Infrastructure Master Plan and N.dollars 8.5 million for an ongoing bulk water pipeline. (Photo by: Josephina Simeon) NAMPA

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