"I Have Never Bought Rice"... Japan's Agriculture Minister Resigns Amid Public Backlash

Taku Eto resigns as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Controversy over "never bought rice" remark leads to resignation
Prime Minister Ishiba swiftly accepts resignation

Taku Eto, Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, is responding to questions from members at the House of Councillors (Upper House) Budget Committee on the 19th. Amid the rice crisis, he sparked controversy by stating that he had "never bought rice," and although he apologized, he ultimately resigned as criticism intensified. Yonhap News

Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, who sparked controversy by stating that he had "never bought rice," has resigned.

According to NHK on the 21st, Taku Eto, Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, submitted his resignation letter on the morning of the same day, and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba immediately accepted it.

On May 18, at a Liberal Democratic Party political fundraising event held in Saga City, Saga Prefecture, Kyushu, Minister Eto became the center of controversy after stating, "I have never bought rice. My supporters send me so much rice that I have enough to sell." As rice prices in Japan have been soaring for an extended period, his remarks were criticized as inappropriate for a cabinet member responsible for stabilizing rice prices.

Subsequently, former Minister Eto retracted his statement and apologized. He said, "Saying that I have enough to sell was an excessive comment," and added, "I lacked consideration for consumers."

However, opposition parties, including the Constitutional Democratic Party, strongly criticized him, stating that "such highly inappropriate remarks call his qualifications into question," and agreed to consider submitting a no-confidence motion.

Amid these developments, former Minister Eto announced his intention to resign, taking responsibility for his remarks, and Prime Minister Ishiba accepted his resignation.

After stepping down, former Minister Eto told reporters, "At a time when the public is facing great difficulties due to rising rice prices, I made extremely inappropriate remarks as the minister in charge," and once again bowed his head, saying, "I sincerely apologize to the people."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ishiba is expediting the appointment of a successor, emphasizing the need to address current issues, including stabilizing rice prices, without delay.