Japan Agriculture Minister Resigns Amid Rising Rice Prices, Koizumi Appointed

Japan's Agriculture Minister Taku Eto resigned following widespread backlash over his remarks that he had never purchased rice because he received it as gifts from supporters, a comment seen as insensitive amid soaring rice prices and inflation impacting Japanese consumers. The price of rice has surged due to factors such as poor harvests caused by bad weather, an aging farming population, supply chain issues, and increased demand linked to tourism, with prices reaching record highs despite government efforts to release emergency stockpiles. Eto's resignation is a political blow to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, whose administration is experiencing historically low approval ratings ahead of the upcoming Upper House elections in July. Eto was succeeded by Shinjiro Koizumi, a former Environment Minister, who has pledged to prioritize stabilizing rice supply and controlling prices. Opposition parties had united in demanding Eto’s resignation, threatening a no-confidence motion, which led Ishiba to withdraw his support. The government continues to face challenges in addressing food security and the economic strain on consumers, as public frustration grows over persistent inflation and the administration’s handling of essential food prices.