Acceptance of Applications for 2026 Crop "Registered Reservation Rice" Begins

Pal System Consumers' Co-operative Union (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Atsuyuki Shibusawa) will begin accepting new applications for the 2026 crop "Registered Reservation Rice" starting Tuesday, March 31. While the 2025 crop was forced to suspend new applications at the time of planting due to supply anxieties caused by the "Reiwa Rice Crisis," the program is now fully resuming following additional recruitment in February. Born out of the rice shortage caused by the cold-weather damage of 1993 and boasting a history of over 30 years, this system received a "Good Design Award" in fiscal year 2023. It is a "mechanism to protect the rice paddies of the future" where direct-from-farm trade and the dining table support each other: the user's "promise of a one-year regular purchase" supports stable rice farming for producers, and in return, they receive priority delivery even during poor harvests or emergencies.

### The Value of a "Promise" in an Era of Supply Anxiety
"Registered Reservation Rice" is a system where users make a reservation before rice planting for one year's worth of that year's new rice, which is then delivered regularly on a four-week cycle. Users can combine weights and brands to suit their own dining needs. Currently, approximately 200,000 households use this service through Pal System.

Because the "destination is decided" in advance, producers can stabilize their management and focus on environmentally friendly agriculture. Users can receive rice at a stable price on a priority basis, even when the market is in short supply. Thanks to this, even during the 2024 "Reiwa Rice Crisis" when rice demand was tight, and during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the organization was able to fulfill deliveries to all registered members.

### Two New Production Areas Added
Starting this year, two new production areas have been added to the Registered Reservation Rice program. JA Minami Uonuma (Niigata Prefecture) is the source of "Eco-Uonuma Koshihikari," and JA Iwate Hanamaki (Iwate Prefecture) is the source of "Eco-Iwate Hitomebore." This year, you can choose your preferred product from the following production areas and brands:

[Table of Registered Reservation Rice Brands and Production Areas]
(Table content: Lists various brands such as Eco-Niigata Koshihikari, Eco-Akita Akita Komachi, Hokkaido Nanatsuboshi, etc., along with their respective JA/producer associations.)

"The smell of freshly cooked rice and the taste even after it cools down are both delicious!"
(Caption: Producers of JA Minami Uonuma (Niigata) 'Eco-Uonuma Koshihikari' - Mr. Kitamura, Mr. Matsui, and Mr. Seki (from left))

"I want to increase the number of fans of this taste!"
(Caption: Mr. Sasaki, producer of JA Iwate Hanamaki 'Eco-Iwate Hitomebore')

### "Sustainable Design" Awarded the Good Design Award
This system was highly evaluated as a "communication design" where producers and consumers share risks, rather than just a simple product reservation, leading to it receiving the 2023 Good Design Award. A one-year reservation translates to the power to protect approximately 120 square meters of rice paddies (in the case of 5kg delivered 13 times a year). Pal System will continue to promote actions to "protect by eating" rice.

[Related Links]
- Registered Reservation Rice wins "Good Design Award"

[Distributor Information]
Pal System Consumers' Co-operative Union
Location: Laquas Higashi-Shinjuku, 2-2-6 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Atsuyuki Shibusawa
Total business volume of 13 member unions/unified business system users: 260.42 billion yen / Total number of members: 1.762 million (as of the end of March 2025)
Member Co-ops: Pal System Tokyo, Pal System Kanagawa, Pal System Chiba, Pal System Saitama, Pal System Ibaraki Tochigi, Pal System Yamanashi Nagano, Pal System Gunma, Pal System Fukushima, Pal System Shizuoka, Pal System Niigata Tokimeki, Pal System Kyosairen, Saitama Workers' Co-op, Ai-Coop Miyagi
Website: https://www.pal-system.co.jp/