Rice comes to your kitchen after many processes.

At first, rice harvested from farms is collected at an Agricultural Cooperative (called “JA”).  Then, the rice is sold to wholesalers.  After that, rice dealers and supermarkets buy the rice from the wholesalers, and the rice is displayed in the store. 

However, rice dealers buying directly from farmers has been increasing recently.  So, if you buy rice from rice dealers, you can sometimes get it cheaper than supermarkets.  Rice dealers polish the rice and sell it to the public.  There are many things that the rice dealer has to do before supplying you with delicious rice.