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Key Points

Japan's Agriculture Minister Taku Eto resigned after making controversial remarks about receiving free rice from supporters amid a national food price crisis. His comments were seen as deeply insensitive, especially when Japanese consumers are struggling with dramatically rising rice prices. Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru accepted Eto's resignation and publicly apologized for appointing him. The incident highlights the political sensitivity surrounding food affordability and agricultural policy in Japan.

Key Points: Japan Agriculture Minister Eto Resigns After Rice Price Controversy

  • Eto resigned after insensitive comments about rice support from donors
  • Rice prices in Japan have nearly doubled in past year
  • Opposition demanded minister's removal over controversial statement
3 min read

Japan Agriculture Minister resigns over controversial remarks about buying rice

Japanese Agriculture Minister Taku Eto steps down following controversial remarks about rice during national price crisis

"I don't think I can be the one implementing the government's policy on rice at this time - Taku Eto"

Tokyo, May 21

Japanese Agriculture Minister Taku Eto resigned on Wednesday following backlash over a controversial remark about getting rice from supporters.

Addressing a fundraising party over the weekend, Eto had said, "I'm not buying rice. Thanks to my supporters giving me plenty of it, I have so much of it in my house that I could sell it."

The comment drew public ire as the consumers in Japan face soaring food prices, local media reported.

Eto submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, hours before latter was set to face off in parliament with leaders of the opposition parties of the country. The Opposition was united in its demand for the removal of Eto from the Minister's post, threatening a no-confidence motion against him.

"I asked myself whether it is appropriate for me to stay at the helm (of the ministry) at a critical time for rice prices, and I concluded that it is not. I don't think I can be the one implementing the government's policy on rice at this time. Once again, I apologise to the people for making extremely inappropriate comments as Minister when they are struggling with surging rice prices," Eto said, addressing reporters at the Prime Minister's office after tendering his resignation.

Eto's controversial comments came when his ministry decided to release rice from emergency stockpiles to help curb prices that have roughly doubled from a year earlier due to a poor harvest, and the prices for the staple food remained high, Japanese news agency Kyodo News reported.

The opposition lawmakers termed the comments as "insensitive" and "inappropriate," while Ishiba apologised in an effort to control further damage as the regular Parliamentary session approaches.

"I myself have to apologise deeply as someone who appointed him. The responsibility also lies with me," Ishiba told reporters.

Later on Monday, Eto told reporters that he was ready to step down if Prime Minister Ishiba wanted him to.

"I retract my remarks fully and apologise," said Eto, a lawmaker representing a constituency in Miyazaki Prefecture on Kyushu in Japan.

According to a report of Kyodo News, the average price of rice sold at Japanese supermarkets between May 5 and 11 reached a record 4,268 yen ($29) per 5 kilograms, up from 4,214 yen between late April and early May, when it dropped for the first time in 18 weeks.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
This shows how sensitive food prices are globally. In India we've seen onion prices make or break governments! Politicians everywhere should be careful with their words about essentials. Japan's high standards for accountability are impressive though.
P
Priya M.
₹250 for 5kg rice in Japan?! 😱 That's nearly 5 times our prices. Makes me appreciate our food security systems more. But we must learn from Japan - their ministers actually resign when they make mistakes, unlike here where they get promoted!
A
Arjun S.
Interesting to see how rice is such an emotional topic in Japan too. In South India especially, we treat rice with similar reverence. The minister's joke about selling rice was in poor taste when people are struggling. He did the right thing by resigning.
S
Sunita R.
While the resignation is justified, I wonder if this would have been such a big issue in India. Our politicians make far worse statements daily with no consequences. Maybe we need higher standards of accountability in public life like Japan has.
V
Vikram J.
The Japanese PM accepting responsibility is noteworthy. In our country, leaders rarely own up for their ministers' mistakes. This incident shows how food security is a global challenge post-pandemic and climate change. We're all in the same boat!
N
Neha P.
As someone who lived in Japan, I can say rice is sacred there like roti/chawal is for us. The minister forgetting this shows how disconnected leaders can become. But at least their system ensures accountability - something we desperately need in Indian politics too!

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