Japan agriculture minister quits after rice gaffe

Japan's agriculture minister was forced to resign Wednesday because of political fallout over recent comments that he "never had to buy rice" because he got it from supporters as gifts.

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The resignation comes as the public struggles with record high prices of the country's traditional staple food.

Taku Eto's comment, which many Japanese saw as out of touch with economic realities, came at a seminar Sunday for the Liberal Democratic Party, which leads a struggling minority government.

The gaffe could be further trouble for the party before a national election in July. A major loss could mean a new government or could mean Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba would have to step down.