Japan’s minister of agriculture resigns over free rice gaffe
Japan’s Farm Minister resigned on Wednesday after a gaffe about rice drew public fury in a country experiencing soaring prices of the cherished staple. Taku Eto told a gathering over the weekend that he had “never bought rice myself because my supporters donate so much to me that I can practically sell it”.This hit a nerve in Japan, where shortages have sent the price of rice soaring. Last month, prices were almost twice the level of April 2024. Factors include poor harvests due to hot weather in 2023 and panic-buying prompted by a “megaquake” warning last year, as well as a tourism boom. The government has been forced to release some of its emergency reserves of rice in an attempt to bring down prices — so far with little success.
Mr. Eto’s comments were criticised as “extremely inappropriate, out of touch and intolerable” by Junya Ogawa, secretary-general of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, whose poor poll ratings are due in part to high food prices, chastised the Minister, calling the remarks “extremely unfortunate”.
Opposition parties reportedly threatened to file a no-confidence motion against Mr. Ishiba’s minority government, which faces tough upper house elections in July.
As the successor to Mr. Eto, Mr. Ishiba named Shinjiro Koizumi, a media-savvy former Environment Minister and son of popular former premier Junichiro Koizumi.
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