Japan Agriculture Minister Resigns Amid Surge in Rice Prices

Japan's Agriculture Minister Taku Eto resigned following public outrage over his remark that he never buys rice because supporters gift it to him, a comment seen as insensitive amid soaring rice prices. The price of rice in Japan has nearly doubled due to poor harvests, panic buying triggered by earthquake warnings, and increased tourism, creating a major political issue and fueling dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's government ahead of upcoming elections. Eto's resignation intensified criticism of Ishiba's handling of the rice crisis and cost-of-living challenges, with the prime minister accepting responsibility for the appointment. Shinjiro Koizumi, former environment minister, was appointed as Eto's replacement, tasked with addressing the rice shortage and public concerns. Government efforts to control prices, including releasing emergency rice reserves and importing foreign rice, have so far failed to ease the situation, contributing to a slump in cabinet approval ratings and threats of no-confidence motions by opposition parties. The crisis underscores growing voter frustration over economic hardships and government responsiveness in Japan.