Japan Farm Minister Taku Eto Resigns After Backlash Over 'Never Had To Buy Rice' Remark

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto’s remarks on rice, deemed insensitive by many, cost him his position, forcing him to resign owing to public backlash.

Announcing his resignation at the prime minister’s office on Wednesday, Eto told the media: "I have just submitted my resignation to Prime Minister Ishiba. I made an extremely inappropriate remark at a time when citizens are suffering from soaring rice prices."

According to reports, at a fundraising event last weekend, Eto had claimed he never needed to buy rice himself because supporters donated so much that he could practically sell the excess.

His remarks drew widespread criticism from the public and opposition leaders. The Japanese prime minister accepted responsibility for Eto’s appointment while accepting his resignation.

The leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party and former Japanese prime minister Yoshihiko Noda condemned Eto’s comments, stating he had "rubbed the public the wrong way" and was unfit to oversee rice pricing and distribution as agriculture minister. He declared Eto unsuitable for the ministerial role.

Rising rice costs have become a critical issue in Japan, where voters are accustomed to years of falling prices and stagnant wages. Despite government measures to stabilise prices – including tapping into emergency rice reserves since March – costs remain persistently high, causing nationwide frustration.