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
Iranian delegate tells Al Mayadeen: 'Israel' bears responsibility for any step toward withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Iran's representative at the International Atomic Energy Agency to Al Mayadeen: The decision to withdraw from the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is linked to future developments
Palestinian medical sources: 37 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the Gaza Strip since dawn today
Israeli media report an ongoing security incident in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: A group of collaborators complicit in the Israeli aggression was arrested in Lorestan Province, western Iran
Al Mayadeen's delegate: The emergency session of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors, at Russia's request, to discuss the Israeli aggression against Iran has begun
Israeli media platform: The drone is approaching Caesarea, where Netanyahu's residence is located
Israeli Channel 12: The drone hunt continues, and air raid sirens expand to new areas in the north
Israeli media: Sirens continue to sound in more than 21 settlements in the north
Israeli media outlet: Aerial pursuit of at least two targets reported in the Beit She'an area

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

Japan, China trade blame over near-miss incident amid PLA drills

Explosion at Japan SDF facility inside US Kadena Air Base, 4 injured

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

Iranian missiles impact Israeli sites in Tel Aviv in 2nd wave

Iran's missiles impact 'strategic' Israeli site in Tel Aviv

  • Politics
  • 14 Jun 2025
Smoke rises after an Iranian ballistic missile directly struck Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

Op. True Promise 3: Iran's ballistic missiles strike Tel Aviv

  • MENA
  • 13 Jun 2025
Bin Salman: Islamic world backs Iran in call to Pezeshkian

MBS says Islamic world backs Iran in call with Pezeshkian

  • MENA
  • 15 Jun 2025
'Israel' launches major strike against Iran's nuclear program

'Israel' launches massive aggression on Iran

  • MENA
  • 13 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks to journalists after a meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Iran confirms targeting Haifa oil refinery, vows continued retaliation

An Israeli military working dog searches rubble for survivors in an area hit by a missile fired from Iran, near Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, Sunday, June 15, 2025.(AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli General warns of strategic defeat in war with Iran

Steve Bannon speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP)
Politics

Steve Bannon accuses 'Israel' of pushing US into war with Iran

The Haifa oil refinery burns after being targeted by an Iranian missile, June 15, 2025 (Social Media)
Politics

Iran causes significant damage to Haifa oil refinery, pipelines

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