Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations

Japan farm minister resigns over free rice remarks amid rising costs

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 21 May 2025 08:47
3 Min Read

Japan's Farm Minister, Taku Eto, resigns following controversial comments about receiving free rice, sparking public anger amid rising rice prices and food inflation.

Listen
  • x
  • Taku Eto, newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, arrives at the prime minister's office Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP)
    Taku Eto, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, arrives at the prime minister's office Monday, November 11, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP)

Japan’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Taku Eto, submitted his resignation on Wednesday after facing intense public backlash over remarks about receiving rice for free, which were viewed as insensitive amid rising food costs across the country.

"Just now I submitted my resignation to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba," Eto told reporters at the premier’s office.

His resignation follows a speech delivered over the weekend, in which he stated that he had "never bought rice myself because my supporters donate so much to me that I can practically sell." The comments sparked widespread outrage in a nation where rice prices have nearly doubled year-on-year, according to data released in April.

The remarks were seen as tone-deaf when many Japanese households are struggling with food inflation. The spike in rice prices is attributed to a combination of factors, including poor harvests due to unusually hot weather in 2023 and panic-buying triggered by a "megaquake" warning last year.

The main opposition party was quick to denounce Eto’s comments, with Junya Ogawa, secretary-general of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, calling them "extremely inappropriate, out of touch and intolerable."

Eto had previously expressed concern about the strain on consumers, acknowledging the hardship caused by inflation during recent public appearances. Japan’s government had even released part of its emergency rice stockpile to help ease the burden.

Minister apologizes, resigns

Related News

Trump’s weak dollar strategy risks global fallout: Forbes

Toyota rejects $10 bln US investment claim in Japan

Facing mounting criticism, Eto attempted to clarify his remarks on Monday, saying he had exaggerated and incurred criticism at home.

“She told me that she does go buy rice when a stockpile of donated rice runs out,” Eto said of his wife, adding, “It's not like our family is living entirely off of rice gifted to us.”

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba issued a stern reprimand on Tuesday, using what Eto described as "very tough words," though initially indicating that Eto could remain in office. However, by Wednesday, the situation had escalated, prompting Eto to formally step down, which Ishiba accepted.

The resignation of Taku Eto underlines growing political sensitivity surrounding everyday economic issues in Japan, especially food inflation. It also highlights the expectation that public officials remain closely attuned to the challenges faced by citizens.

Japan: Massive US Treasury holdings a negotiation tool for trade talks

This also comes amid a Japanese financial crisis exacerbated by US President Donald Trump's tariffs. Recently, Japan had been considering leveraging its more than $1 trillion in US Treasury holdings in ongoing trade negotiations with Washington, Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato suggested earlier in May.

While Kato did not explicitly threaten a sell-off, he acknowledged for the first time that these holdings could serve as a strategic tool in discussions with the United States.

Speaking in a television interview, Kato emphasized that the primary purpose of Japan’s US Treasury holdings, the largest globally, is to maintain sufficient liquidity to enable yen interventions when necessary. However, he added, "we obviously need to put all cards on the table in negotiations. It could be among such cards."

"Whether we actually use that card, however, is a different question," he clarified.

Analysts view Japan’s suggestion as a subtle but significant move in strengthening its negotiating power amid ongoing Japan-US trade negotiations. 

  • Japan
  • economic crisis
  • Taku Eto
  • food inflation
  • Food Prices

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Saudi's PIF refocuses on AI, logistics, and religious tourism
Economy

Saudi Arabia's fund refocuses on AI, logistics, and religious tourism

Detained Bahraini activist al-Khawaja starts new hunger strike.
Politics

Detained Bahraini activist al-Khawaja starts new hunger strike

Israel fortifies Gaza’s "yellow line," prepares to dig in.
Politics

'Israel' fortifies Gaza’s 'yellow line,' prepares to dig in: WSJ

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One as he travels from Tokyo, Japan, to South Korea, on October 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Asia

Trump’s weak dollar strategy risks global fallout: Forbes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS