Cliff Notes – Japan minister bows out over rice gaffe
- Japan’s Agriculture Minister Taku Eto resigned after facing backlash for saying he had “never had to buy rice,” amid a national rice shortage and rising prices.
- Retail rice prices have doubled in Japan since last year, leading to public outrage over Eto’s insensitive remark during a time of economic distress.
- Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s approval rating has fallen to 27.4%, as 87.1% of the public views the government’s response to the crisis as inadequate.
Japan minister bows out over rice gaffe
Japan’s Agriculture Minister Taku Eto announced his resignation on Wednesday following backlash over an inappropriate comment about rice.
Eto came under fire earlier this week after stating that he had “never had to buy rice” because supporters gave it to him, a remark that sparked public outrage amid a national rice shortage and soaring prices.
The price of rise a challenge for Japan’s government
Rice is a staple food in Japan, and Eto’s comment struck a nerve in a country where retail rice prices have doubled since last year.
“I made an extremely inappropriate remark at a time when citizens are suffering from soaring rice prices,” Eto told reporters after submitting his resignation at the prime minister’s office.
The government has implemented measures since March to curb rising prices, including releasing tons of rice from its emergency stockpile, but these efforts have so far failed to yield results.
Public support for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has also declined sharply. According to a Kyodo News poll released Sunday, his approval rating has dropped to 27.4%, down from 32.6% the previous month.
The same poll revealed that 87.1% of respondents viewed the government’s response to rising rice prices as inadequate.
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Sources
Japan’s agriculture minister submits his resignation after inappropriate remark about buying rice – Alton Telegraph
Japan’s minister resigns over rice comment – Bangkok Post
Japan’s agriculture minister resigns over rice comment – 香港電台