TOKYO — Japan’s Agriculture Minister Taku Eto stepped down on Wednesday after sparking outrage with his offhand remark that he’s “never had to buy rice,” drawing fire from a public already burdened by record-high prices for the staple.
Speaking at a political fundraiser, Eto said he received rice as gifts from supporters — a comment that quickly triggered public and political backlash. Voters, frustrated by a surge in rice prices due to a poor harvest and tourism-driven demand, saw his remarks as tone-deaf.
“I deeply regret making such an insensitive statement while people are struggling with rice prices,” Eto said after resigning at the prime minister’s office.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba moved swiftly to replace Eto with reform advocate Shinjiro Koizumi, a former environment minister. Koizumi, son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, promised to focus aggressively on solving the rice crisis.
“In my mind, I am now the ‘minister of rice,'” Koizumi declared. He pledged to challenge entrenched policies and push for price reductions, emphasizing that no sector would be off-limits.
Rice prices in Japan have doubled from last year, with a 5kg bag recently selling for over ¥4,268 ($29.73). Government interventions, including releasing emergency stockpiles, have had little impact. Prime Minister Ishiba is now calling for a reversal of long-standing policies that encouraged reduced rice production to stabilize prices.
Eto’s resignation marks the first cabinet departure under Ishiba not linked to electoral defeats, but it underscores deeper challenges for the administration. Ishiba’s approval rating has hit a new low of 27.4%, with public discontent focused on food inflation and leadership missteps.
With upper house elections looming in July, critics argue Ishiba acted too late, especially after five opposition parties prepared a no-confidence motion against Eto.