Agriculture minister resigns over free rice gaffe

Japan's agriculture minister resigned yesterday after a gaffe about rice drew public fury in a country experiencing soaring prices of the cherished staple.

- 

Taku Eto told a gathering over the weekend that he had “never bought rice myself because my supporters donate so much to me that I can practically sell it”.

This hit a nerve in Japan where shortages have sent the price of rice soaring. Last month prices were almost twice the level of April 2024.

Factors include poor harvests due to hot weather in 2023 and panic-buying prompted by a “megaquake” warning last year, as well as a tourism boom.

The government has been forced to release some of its emergency reserves of rice in an attempt to bring down pricesso far with little success.