Japan’s Agriculture Minister, Taku Etō, has stepped down following outrage over his comment that he never buys rice, a statement that struck a nerve in a country already struggling with skyrocketing food prices.
Etō submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, acknowledging the backlash that ensued after he revealed during a political fundraiser that he had never needed to buy rice, as his supporters generously supplied him with enough to “practically sell.”
This comment, made amid rising rice prices, was met with fury, especially as consumers are facing nearly double the rice costs compared to the previous year.
Despite expressing earlier sympathy for consumers and supporting measures like releasing rice from government stockpiles to alleviate the crisis, Etō’s words contradicted his stance, leading to his decision to step down.
“I asked myself whether it is appropriate for me to stay at the helm at such a critical time for rice prices, and I concluded that it is not,” he said, offering an apology for his “extremely inappropriate comments.”
Shinjirō Koizumi, former environment minister and a former leadership contender, will take over as Japan’s agriculture minister.
The rice crisis has been compounded by poor harvests, panic-buying after a 2024 earthquake warning, and stockpiling by wholesalers anticipating further shortages.
Prime Minister Ishiba’s government is facing increasing scrutiny over its handling of the issue, with 87% of people dissatisfied with the response to soaring rice prices. Recent data revealed the average price of 5kg of rice hit a record ¥4,268 ($29) in mid-May, further fueling public frustration.
Opposition figures, including Junya Ogawa, condemned Etō’s remarks as “extremely inappropriate and out of touch.” Etō himself acknowledged the fallout, revealing that even his wife was upset by his comment, adding that their family doesn’t rely entirely on gifted rice.
