Japan's Agriculture Minister Resigns Over Rice Remark Amid Price Concerns

Japan's Agriculture Minister Resigns Over Rice Remark

Japan's agriculture minister, Taku Eto, has resigned following a controversial remark regarding rice purchases amid rising prices of the staple food.

Inappropriate Comment Fuels Public Outcry

Eto stated at a seminar that he had never bought rice himself, as supporters provided it as gifts. The comment was deemed insensitive given the public's struggle with high rice prices, potentially impacting Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's government.

Eto apologized for the "inappropriate remark" and Prime Minister Ishiba accepted the resignation, acknowledging responsibility for the appointment.

Possible Successor and Government Response

Media reports suggest Shinjiro Koizumi, former Environment Minister, is likely to be Eto's successor. Opposition parties threatened a no-confidence vote if Eto did not resign.

Rice demand in Japan has decreased over the years due to dietary diversification, but it remains a vital part of Japanese culture. A rice supply shortfall began last August due to panic buying after earthquake preparedness warnings.

The government has released rice from its emergency stockpile but officials say the release has barely helped to ease the shortage or lower prices, with some attributing the shortage to poor harvests and high production costs, while others blame the government's rice production policy.

The government denies a rice shortage but admits that they do not know why rice is not reaching consumers.