Amid a growing rice crisis that has frustrated voters, Japan's Agriculture Minister Taku Eto resigned following backlash over his comment that he had never personally bought rice. The remark underscored the government's struggles with rising prices and supply issues, contributing to dismal approval ratings for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as elections loom.
Taku Eto Resigns Over Rice Remarks Amidst National Shortage Crisis
Taku Eto Resigns Over Rice Remarks Amidst National Shortage Crisis
Japan’s Agriculture Minister Taku Eto steps down after controversial comments highlight ongoing rice shortage challenges, especially ahead of upcoming elections.
In a dramatic political shift, Japan's Agriculture Minister Taku Eto resigned on Wednesday following a furor over his insensitive remark regarding the nation’s staple grain, rice. The country is currently grappling with a rice shortage that has heightened public frustration, particularly in light of soaring prices and sporadic rationing at supermarkets.
Eto’s controversial statement, made during a speech on Sunday, asserted, “I have never bought rice myself. Frankly, my supporters give me quite a lot of rice. I have so much rice at home that I could sell it.” This comment propelled criticism in a climate where access to affordable rice is increasingly vital for Japanese consumers.
The shortage has been attributed to long-standing agricultural policies aimed at protecting small-scale farmers. These policies have limited the ability of newcomers to access agricultural land, leading to vast tracts of uncultivated fields. Efforts to reform this system have been stymied by powerful rural lobby groups and the national farming cooperative, core supporters of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Facing mounting pressure, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s approval ratings have plummeted into the low 20s, largely fueled by urban voters’ dissatisfaction over the skyrocketing rice prices. The incident has served as an opening for opposition parties, threatening a no-confidence motion against Eto.
Political analysts suggested that Eto's comment showcased a disconnect from the realities faced by everyday citizens and producers. Kazuya Shimba, general secretary for the Democratic Party for the People, emphasized the need for leadership that empathizes with both consumers and farmers. As the political situation evolved, Eto's resignation was deemed necessary to stabilize the government's agricultural policies and minimize electoral backlash.
In response to the crisis, Ishiba has appointed rising star Shinjiro Koizumi, son of a former prime minister, to take over the agriculture portfolio in a bid to regain public trust and address the pressing rice shortage ahead of the July elections.
Eto’s controversial statement, made during a speech on Sunday, asserted, “I have never bought rice myself. Frankly, my supporters give me quite a lot of rice. I have so much rice at home that I could sell it.” This comment propelled criticism in a climate where access to affordable rice is increasingly vital for Japanese consumers.
The shortage has been attributed to long-standing agricultural policies aimed at protecting small-scale farmers. These policies have limited the ability of newcomers to access agricultural land, leading to vast tracts of uncultivated fields. Efforts to reform this system have been stymied by powerful rural lobby groups and the national farming cooperative, core supporters of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Facing mounting pressure, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s approval ratings have plummeted into the low 20s, largely fueled by urban voters’ dissatisfaction over the skyrocketing rice prices. The incident has served as an opening for opposition parties, threatening a no-confidence motion against Eto.
Political analysts suggested that Eto's comment showcased a disconnect from the realities faced by everyday citizens and producers. Kazuya Shimba, general secretary for the Democratic Party for the People, emphasized the need for leadership that empathizes with both consumers and farmers. As the political situation evolved, Eto's resignation was deemed necessary to stabilize the government's agricultural policies and minimize electoral backlash.
In response to the crisis, Ishiba has appointed rising star Shinjiro Koizumi, son of a former prime minister, to take over the agriculture portfolio in a bid to regain public trust and address the pressing rice shortage ahead of the July elections.
