Japan’s agriculture minister Taku Eto has resigned following a public outcry over his comment that he never needed to buy rice because he receives it as gifts from political supporters.
The remark came during a time when households across the country are struggling with record-high rice prices.
The resignation was announced by Eto himself, who admitted that his words were inappropriate, especially as many citizens are dealing with the impact of food inflation. He formally submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who later apologized and accepted full responsibility for appointing Eto to the post.
Eto’s comment was made at a recent fundraising event, where he casually stated he had never purchased rice due to frequent donations from supporters. The statement quickly sparked backlash from the public and political opponents, who accused him of being out of touch with ordinary citizens.
Opposition leaders condemned Eto’s attitude, saying he had shown a clear disconnect from the daily struggles of people trying to manage rising food costs. With rice prices doubling over the past year due to poor harvests and high demand, many families have felt the pressure. Critics also targeted Prime Minister Ishiba for initially defending Eto, threatening to file a no-confidence motion if no action was taken.
The resignation comes at a difficult time for Ishiba’s administration, as public approval ratings have slipped below 30%. Rising food prices, especially the surge in rice costs, have become a major issue. The government’s attempts to control prices by releasing rice from emergency reserves have had limited success.
Eto had previously acknowledged the public’s hardship, but his recent comments seemed to undermine those statements. His departure is viewed as a necessary step to calm voter frustration and restore some level of trust in the government.
Shinjiro Koizumi, a former environment minister and known political figure, is expected to replace Eto in the agriculture ministry. Koizumi is seen as a more public-friendly choice who may help steer policy more carefully in the months ahead.
Eto’s resignation marks another challenge for the government as it tries to balance economic pressures with growing political discontent. For many Japanese citizens, his exit is a reminder of how sensitive leadership must be during times of national economic strain.