Pal System Launches 2026 Rice Pre-Registration to Combat Supply Issues

Pal System Starts Pre-Registration for 2026 Rice

On March 31, Pal System Cooperative, headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo, will commence pre-registration for the 2026 harvest of 'reservation rice'. This initiative is crucial following the supply uncertainties caused by the 2025 rice crisis, which halted pre-registrations. After a successful additional recruitment period in February, this marks a formal resumption of a program that began over 30 years ago. Originally launched in response to rice shortages resulting from a cold wave in 1993, the system received the Good Design Award in 2023. The commitment to a year-long subscription by users supports stable production by farmers and ensures that rice is delivered even during difficult conditions, creating a symbiotic relationship between direct producers and consumers to secure the future of rice cultivation.

The Value of 'Promise' in Uncertain Times

The 'reservation rice' system allows consumers to reserve their share of the year's new rice ahead of planting season, guaranteeing regular delivery every four weeks. Users can mix different weights and varietals to tailor their rice to family preferences. Currently, around 200,000 households participate in this program.

Farmers benefit from knowing where their produce is heading, which promotes stable management and environmentally friendly farming practices. Consumers receive rice at preferred prices even during market shortages. This model proved effective during the rice supply crisis of 2024 and in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, ensuring continuous delivery to subscribers.

Two New Varietals Added This Year

This year, Pal System has expanded the reservation rice program to include two new rice varieties. JA Minami-Uonuma from Niigata introduces 'Eco Minami-Uonuma Koshihikari', while JA Iwate Hanamaki from Iwate presents 'Eco Iwate Hitomebore'. Consumers can now select their preferred products from the following options:

Rice Variety	Region
-------	---------
Eco Niigata Koshihikari	Niigata: JA Niigata Kagayaki, JA Echigo Joetsu, JA Echigo Nakago, Kenshin no Sato
Eco Akita Akita Komachi	Akita: JA Akita Furusato, JA Komachi, Hanasaki Farm, Ooria 21
Hokkaido Nanatsuboshi	Hokkaido: JA Kitai-buki, JA Furano, JA Pippu Town
Eco Miyagi Hitomebore	Miyagi: JA Shin-Miyagi
Eco Yamagata Tsuyahime	Yamagata: JA Yamagata Okitama, JA Shonai Tagawa, Shonai Cooperative Farm
Eco Aizu Koshihikari	Fukushima: JA Aizu Yotsuba
Eco Ibaraki Koshihikari	Ibaraki: JA Tsukuba City Yatabe
Eco Iwate Hitomebore	Iwate: JA Iwate Hanamaki
Eco Minami-Uonuma Koshihikari	Niigata: JA Minami-Uonuma
Eco Shonai Haenuki (Brown Rice)	Yamagata: JA Shonai Tagawa
Eco Directly-Cultivated Brown Rice	Iwate: JA Iwate Hanamaki
Eco Directly-Cultivated Brown Rice	Niigata: JA Niigata Kagayaki
Assorted Eco Challenge Rice	Expected varieties include: Rewatari, Akita Komachi, Tsuyahime, Haenuki, Hitomebore, Sasanishiki, Koshihikari, Fusaotome, and Aoyuki Komachi.
Assorted Organic Rice	Expected varieties include: Rewatari, Akita Komachi, Tsuyahime, Hitomebore, Sasanishiki, Koshihikari.

"The aroma of freshly cooked rice and the delicious flavor even after cooling!" says producer Kitamura from JA Minami-Uonuma about Eco Minami-Uonuma Koshihikari.

"I want to increase the number of fans for this flavor!" expresses producer Sasaki from JA Iwate Hanamaki regarding Eco Iwate Hitomebore.

Good Design Award Winning Sustainable Design

The program is not just about reserving products; it promotes a design of communication where producers and consumers share risks, a factor that was highly valued in the 2023 Good Design Award. A one-year subscription is equivalent to protecting about 120 square meters of rice field (when delivering 5kg rice 13 times a year). Pal System will continue to promote 'eating to protect' actions toward sustainable rice production.

For more details:

- Reservation Rice Wins Good Design Award

About Pal System Cooperative

Headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Pal System Cooperative comprises various member cooperatives, with a total sales volume of approximately 260.42 billion yen and around 1.76 million members as of March 2025. Visit Pal System's Website for more information.