This Man, Known as the "Fun Cool Sexy Guy" in Korea, Becomes Japan's Agriculture Minister and Says, "I've Bought Instant Rice Too"

Appointment of Next Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries After Dismissal of Eto
Japanese Media on Koizumi's Appointment: "Hopes and Concerns Intertwined"

Shinjiro Koizumi, the second son of former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and a member of the House of Representatives, has been appointed as Japan's new Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. On the 21st (local time), Japanese media outlets including FNN reported that Koizumi received the appointment notification from Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the Prime Minister's residence in the afternoon and accepted the position. He stated that Prime Minister Ishiba instructed him, "For now, it's all about rice," and expressed his determination to devote himself to resolving the rice issue.

Shinjiro Koizumi, the second son of former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, has been appointed as Japan's new Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. On the 21st (local time), Japanese media including FNN reported that Koizumi received the appointment notification from Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the Prime Minister's residence in the afternoon and accepted it. AP·Yonhap News

After meeting with Prime Minister Ishiba, Koizumi spoke to reporters and said, "I received specific instructions that strong policies are needed to ensure that rice can be supplied to consumers at stable prices." He added, "I will do my utmost to respond quickly to the sharp rise in rice prices, which is the greatest source of anxiety for the public in their daily lives." He went on to emphasize, "I will do my best to stabilize the market at prices that allow people to buy rice with peace of mind, so that the public can feel reassured, thinking, 'Now I can finally buy rice properly,' and 'Rice won't be in short supply.'

In response to criticism that he lacks the qualifications to serve as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Koizumi said, "When I was offered the position yesterday, what I emphasized was that, in this situation, what matters most is making decisions that are not bound by vested interests, rather than showing consideration for organizations or groups." Regarding the controversy caused by his predecessor, who said, "I have never bought rice," Koizumi criticized, "It is clear that this was a statement that should not have been made at a time when the public is feeling anxious about rice." He added that he "buys various types of rice," and explained, "Since my son and daughter are still young, when I need to save time, I also buy instant rice."

He continued, "Just like those who are feeling anxious about rice right now, I too understand how great the anxiety could be in everyday life if rice were unavailable at supermarkets or stores," and stressed, "With that sense in mind, I will pursue rice policies from the consumer's perspective." He concluded, "For now, my sole focus is rice. I will approach this job as if I am the 'Minister in charge of rice,' and I will review all rice price control measures from scratch."

Various memes flood Japanese social media following Koizumi's appointment

Born in April 1981 and now 44 years old, Koizumi is a six-term member of the House of Representatives. He is one of Japan's most prominent "father-son" politicians and served as Minister of the Environment for two years starting in 2019. Last September, he ran in the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election to select the "post-Kishida" leader but was defeated. While he enjoys high recognition due to his father's legacy and his youthful, handsome appearance, he has often faced questions about his qualifications due to his vague and evasive manner of speaking. For example, during his tenure as Environment Minister, when asked about climate change, he replied, "We should respond in a fun, cool, and sexy way," which drew laughter and criticism for lacking substance.

Koizumi Junichiro, former Prime Minister's second son and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Koizumi, despite being a handsome "political golden spoon," was sometimes mocked online for his unique way of speaking that was hard to understand. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News

Koizumi, the second son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and now Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, has sometimes been mocked online for his handsome appearance as a "political golden spoon" and his distinctive but often unintelligible way of speaking. His statements, such as "I am reflecting on the criticism that I do not appear to be reflecting, even though I say I am reflecting," are filled with tautologies and circular logic and have become known in Japan as "Shinjiro syntax," making him a frequent target of satire and parody.

Meanwhile, the Mainichi Shimbun reported on the 21st that "hopes and concerns are mixed on social media following Koizumi's appointment as the new Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries," and that memes about him are spreading among Japanese netizens in connection with the surge in rice prices. Netizens posted sarcastic comments such as, "If you want to lower the price of rice, you really have to lower the price of rice," "Lowering the price of rice means making rice cheaper," and "If there is no rice, you can just eat rice." One netizen even quoted Koizumi's remark about buying instant rice and commented, "Because I have bought rice, I was able to become the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries."