An off-the-cuff remark about never paying for rice has cost Japan’s agriculture minister his job, as pressure mounts on the government to solve the nation’s rice crisis. Taku Eto resigned on Wednesday, telling reporters that he had concluded he was “not the right person for this role” after sparking a public backlash by saying that he had “so much rice at home that (he) could sell it.” The cost of rice – Japan’s prime staple food - has become a major political issue, with prices surging to record highs this year and the government taking the rare steps of releasing emergency reserves and importing foreign rice. Eto’s gaffe could not have come at a worse time for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s government, which was already suffering from low approval ratings due to spiraling cost of living, weeks ahead of an election. “I have never bought rice myself. Frankly, my supporters give me quite a lot of rice. I have so much rice at home that I could sell it,” Eto said in a speech over the weekend, drawing the ire of the public. He later clarified he did buy his own rice and said he “deeply regretted” his comments. “I made an extremely inappropriate remark as the minister responsible. For that, I apologize once again to the people of Japan,” Eto said Wednesday after tendering his resignation. He added that he “fully recognized” the hardship people are facing due to soaring rice prices. A major threat Frustrations over the rising cost of living in Japan is shaping up to be a major threat for Prime Minister Ishiba and his Liberal Democratic Party as the country heads to the polls for upper house elections in July. The latest approval ratings for Ishiba’s cabinet slipped to 27.4%, a record low, according to a poll by Japanese news agency Kyodo released on Sunday. Almost one in nine of the households surveyed said the government’s efforts to rein in rice prices had been insufficient. Ishiba’s party, which has ruled Japan for almost all of its post-war history, suffered a crushing defeat in last year’s lower house election, but he held on to power by seeking support from minor parties. Further defeat in the coming elections could threaten his coalition’s rule and spark calls for a new leader. Rice price stubbornly high Despite the government’s attempts to bring them down, rice prices in Japan have remained stubbornly high – almost twice what they were a year ago. The average retail price of rice rose to 4,268 yen ($29.4 US) per five kilograms in the second week of May, reversing a brief decline in 18 weeks recorded in the previous month, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Earlier this year, it took the rare step of putting hundreds of thousands of tons of rice from its emergency reserves up for auction, in a bid to drive down prices. Multiple auctions have since been scheduled until July, with hundreds of thousands of tons of rice being released. Japan, which takes deep pride in its homegrown rice, has also scaled up imports of rice from overseas, mainly from the US. In April, it also imported South Korean rice for the first time since 1999. Dealing with the rice crisis is now the job of Shinjiro Koizumi, a former environment minister and son of a former Japanese Prime Minister, who Ishiba has appointed to head the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. “I have instructed Mr. Koizumi to make strong efforts to supply rice to consumers at a stable price, especially in light of the current high rice prices,” Ishiba said.
Japan’s farm minister resigns over rice gaffe, as stubbornly high prices threaten government’s grip on power
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Japan's Agriculture Minister Resigns Amidst Rising Rice Prices and Political Pressure"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Taku Eto, Japan's agriculture minister, resigned following a controversial remark he made regarding rice, a staple food in Japan, which has seen prices surge to record highs this year. During a speech, Eto claimed he had so much rice at home that he could sell it, a comment that led to public outrage amidst a growing rice crisis. In his resignation announcement, Eto expressed regret for his comments, acknowledging that he was not the right person for the job during such a critical time. His remarks came as the Japanese government faced increasing pressure to address the escalating cost of living, particularly the high prices of rice, which have become a significant political issue ahead of impending elections. The government has taken unprecedented measures, including releasing emergency rice reserves and importing foreign rice, to combat rising prices.
The political implications of the rice crisis are severe for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his ruling Liberal Democratic Party, especially with current approval ratings plummeting to a record low of 27.4%. Public dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the rice price crisis could jeopardize the coalition's grip on power as the nation approaches upper house elections in July. Despite the government's efforts to stabilize prices, including auctions of emergency rice supplies and increased imports from countries like the US and South Korea, the average retail price of rice has nearly doubled in a year. With Eto's resignation, the responsibility of addressing the rice crisis has shifted to Shinjiro Koizumi, who has been appointed as the new agriculture minister, tasked with ensuring a stable supply of rice at reasonable prices for consumers.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The resignation of Japan's agriculture minister, Taku Eto, following his controversial comments about rice, highlights the significant pressures facing the government amid rising food prices. This incident reflects broader economic challenges and public dissatisfaction, especially as the country approaches elections.
Public Sentiment and Political Impact
Eto's remarks about having "so much rice at home that (he) could sell it" struck a nerve with the public, exacerbating frustrations over soaring rice prices, which have become a pressing political issue. With approval ratings for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's government at a record low of 27.4%, this resignation could be seen as an attempt to quell public anger and demonstrate accountability. The timing of the incident is critical, as it occurs just weeks before upper house elections, suggesting that the government is keenly aware of how economic issues can sway voter sentiment.
Economic Context
The rising cost of rice, a staple in Japanese diets, poses a significant threat to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The government's measures, such as releasing emergency reserves and importing foreign rice, indicate the severity of the situation. The public's perception of the government's handling of this crisis is crucial, as indicated by the Kyodo poll showing that many feel the government's efforts have been inadequate.
Media Influence and Public Perception
Media coverage of Eto's comments has likely amplified public outrage, framing the situation as indicative of the government's disconnect from everyday citizens. This portrayal could serve to unify public opinion against the LDP, making it a focal point in the upcoming elections. The narrative that the government is out of touch with the struggles of ordinary people could resonate deeply, influencing voter behavior.
Underlying Issues and Other Concerns
While the resignation is a significant event, it might also serve as a distraction from broader economic issues, such as inflation and the overall cost of living crisis in Japan. By focusing on Eto's gaffe, the government and media may be sidelining discussions on more systemic economic policies that need addressing.
Manipulative Aspects of the Coverage
The framing of the news could be seen as manipulative, particularly if it serves to divert attention from the government's broader failures in economic management. The language used in the reporting emphasizes personal accountability but may downplay structural issues affecting the economy. This could lead to a simplified narrative where the blame is placed solely on individual politicians rather than the systemic problems facing Japan’s economy.
Overall Reliability of the Article
The article presents factual information about a political resignation and public sentiment regarding rice prices. However, the emphasis on the gaffe and its implications may skew the public's perception of the broader context. Thus, while the news is grounded in reality, the framing could influence how the audience interprets the significance of the events.