TOKYO, May 21 — Japan’s Agriculture Minister Taku Eto resigned today following public outrage over his comment that he never buys rice because he receives so much of it for free, a remark seen as insensitive amid rising food prices.
TOKYO, May 21 — Japan’s Agriculture Minister Taku Eto resigned today following public outrage over his comment that he never buys rice because he receives so much of it for free, a remark seen as insensitive amid rising food prices.
“I just submitted my resignation to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba,” Eto told reporters at the prime minister’s office.
The Japanese government has recently released part of its emergency rice reserves to ease the burden on consumers. Just weeks ago, Eto had acknowledged the difficulties people were facing due to the soaring cost of rice.
However, speaking at an event last weekend, he said, “I’ve never bought rice myself because my supporters donate so much that I could practically sell it.” The statement sparked widespread backlash in a country where rice prices have nearly doubled compared to last year, driven by poor harvests from extreme heat in 2023 and panic-buying triggered by a major earthquake warning.
Junya Ogawa, secretary-general of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, slammed Eto’s comment as “extremely inappropriate, out of touch, and intolerable.”
On Monday, Eto attempted to soften his statement, claiming he had exaggerated and was scolded by his wife. “She told me that she buys rice when our stock of donated rice runs out,” he explained, adding that their household doesn’t rely entirely on gifted rice.
Despite being sternly reprimanded by Prime Minister Ishiba, who used “very tough words,” Eto was initially allowed to remain in office. However, he ultimately chose to step down, and Ishiba accepted his resignation today. — AFP
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