Premium rice cookers in Japan draw consumers looking to cook stockpiled rice

With the release from the government stockpile, consumers have been cooking with older rice more often. - Photo: AFP

TOKYO: Premium rice cookers are seeing brisk sales in Japan as consumers seek to prepare rice that is two or more years old and that came out of the government’s stockpile.

Rice-polishing machines for home use are also attracting attention. Consumers are using the machines so they can enjoy older rice without a loss in quality.