#Japan #Tokyo #LINE Yahoo #Yahoo Auctions #Yahoo Free Market

LINE Yahoo's New Measures Against Rice Reselling

In a significant effort to stabilize the Japanese rice market, LINE Yahoo Corporation has announced a ban on rice reselling effective June 23, following amendments to the National Living Stabilization Emergency Measures Act. This decision comes in light of rising rice prices and supply shortages that have prompted governmental action to protect consumers.

Background of the Decision

The Japanese government has been grappling with the surge in rice prices while also facing issues of supply scarcity. As part of the measures, the government has engaged in selling government-stored rice through discretionary contracts. The situation became critical, and on June 13, the revised emergency measures were approved, prompting LINE Yahoo to implement this ban to prevent further price inflation caused by reselling and to protect both consumers and sellers from potential legal violations.

As part of this initiative, LINE Yahoo had previously prohibited the sale of government-stored rice on their platforms, including Yahoo Free Market and Yahoo Auctions, as of May 29. The new ban expands this prohibition to cover all rice resell activities on their commerce services.

Details of the Implementation

Yahoo Free Market & Yahoo Auctions

• - Ban on Rice Listing: In addition to the existing ban on government-stored rice, all listings for rice grains will be prohibited.
• - User Notifications: Users of both platforms will receive notifications regarding these changes.
• - Deletion of Listings: Rice listings that do not comply with this new rule will be removed.
• - Increased Surveillance: The company will enhance monitoring efforts to detect non-compliant listings through AI and other technological means.

The platform has also outlined specific measures for corporate and individual sellers on Yahoo Auctions. While auction-style listings for rice will be prohibited entirely, fixed-price listings may remain permissible under certain conditions, which may require additional documentation for verification.

Yahoo Shopping

• - Prohibition on High Pricing: Retailers are also barred from selling rice purchased at a lower price above the acquisition cost.
• - Store Notifications: Similar to Yahoo Free Market, retailers will receive guidelines and updates on compliance.
• - Monitoring Enforcement: There will be rigorous checks on rice listings to ensure adherence to the new rules. In some instances, sellers may need to provide proof of purchase.

Commitment to Market Integrity

LINE Yahoo is committed to collaborating closely with relevant governmental bodies to promote market stability and ensure that consumers can use their services without concerns. The corporate response to the rice pricing crisis underscores the company's dedication to maintaining a fair marketplace and supporting the livelihoods of everyday consumers.

Additionally, through these integrated efforts, LINE Yahoo aims to provide a platform where users feel secure and protected against the unpredictability of rice prices, thereby contributing to the overall improvement of market conditions.

As these measures roll out, the anticipation is that they will not only stabilize rice prices but also enhance consumer confidence in the online marketplace backed by LINE Yahoo.