Controversial rice remarks lead to Japanese minister’s resignation

According to Japan’s NHK news network, Eto Taku submitted his resignation to Ishiba on Wednesday morning following the uproar over his comments made a few days earlier.

According to the report, as rice prices in Japan have surged and Ishiba’s cabinet faces its lowest public approval ratings due to its inability to address economic challenges, the agriculture minister stated last Sunday that he has never purchased rice because he receives it for free from his supporters and has so much that he could sell it.

Taku retracted his statements after realizing they had sparked controversy amid rising grain prices, including rice, in the country.

Japan’s Prime Minister, after receiving the minister’s resignation letter today, stated: “Eto decided to resign, and I accepted it because the ongoing controversy over his remarks could have impacted the implementation of agricultural policies.”

According to the report, Eto, after submitting his resignation to the Prime Minister, told reporters that his comments had undermined the government’s efforts to lower prices and build trust among the Japanese people.