noun
freely distributed rice; rice outside government controls
Refers to rice sold through private channels rather than under the government's direct price and distribution controls, a concept from Japan's former rice distribution system.
自主流通米は、政府の管理を受けずに市場で取引される米のことです。
Freely distributed rice is rice that is traded on the market without government control.
政府米 is rice directly controlled and distributed by the government, whereas 自主流通米 is rice that circulates through private channels.
Compound of 自主 (self-directed, autonomous), 流通 (distribution, circulation), and 米 (rice). The term emerged from Japan's post-war rice distribution policies.