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
Russian Ministry of Defense: 37 Ukrainian drones destroyed in 4 hours over regions of Russia and the Black Sea.
Sheikh Qassem: Our supporters make up more than half of Lebanon's population, and all of these people are united under the banner of protecting Lebanon, its Resistance, its people, and its integrity.
Sheikh Qassem: There will be no phased handing in of our arms. [The Israelis] must first enact the agreement before we start talking about a defensive strategy.
Sheikh Qassem: Be brave in the face of foreign pressures, and we will be by your side in this stance.
Sheikh Qassem: Stripping us of our arms is like stripping us of our very soul, and this will prompt us to show them our might.
Sheikh Qassem: We will not abandon our arms, for they gave us dignity; we will not abandon our arms, for they protect us against our enemy.
Sheikh Qassem: The US efforts we are seeing are aimed at sabotaging Lebanon and constitute a call for sedition.
Sheikh Qassem: If you truly want to establish sovereignty and work for Lebanon’s interests, then stop the aggression.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States, which is meddling in Lebanon, is not trustworthy but rather poses a danger to it.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States is preventing the weapons that protect the homeland.

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

China to showcase hypersonic weapons at WWII anniversary parade

Japan's exports suffer sharpest decline in four years amid US tariffs

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

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Almost instantly after the Helsinki Accords were signed, organisations sprouted to document purported violations, whose findings were fed to overseas embassies for international amplification. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab el-Hajj)

How ‘Human Rights’ became a Western weapon

  • Opinion
  • 23 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025
Launch of a ballistic missile from Yemen toward the occupied Palestinian territories. (YAF military media)

Yemeni Forces announce firing hypersonic missile at Al-Lydd Airport

  • Politics
  • 22 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu deliberately derailing truce with Gaza occupation: Hamas

Irish President Michael Higgins arrives to deliver his speech during a 42nd World Food Day celebration at FAO headquarters in Rome, on Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Irish president renews call for UN military intervention in Gaza

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the US Embassy in Aukar, northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ansar Allah vow sustained Gaza support despite Israeli strikes

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