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A Minister's Rice Misstep: Public Backlash Forces Resignation

Japan's Agriculture Minister, Taku Eto, has stepped down following widespread public anger over his comments that he never had to buy rice—despite the country grappling with skyrocketing prices of the staple food.

During a recent public appearance, Eto revealed he received rice for free from political supporters and had never purchased it himself. While seemingly innocuous, the remark triggered an uproar in a country where rice is deeply ingrained in culture and daily life—especially as prices for the grain soar and economic pressure mounts.

A Nation Under Pressure: Soaring Rice Prices

Rice prices in Japan have reached record highs. According to data from Tridge and NHK, a 5-kilogram bag of rice hit 4,268 yen ($29.63) in the week ending May 11, an increase of 54 yen from the previous week. This surge reflects the broader inflationary trend in the country. Japan’s inflation rose by 3.6% year-on-year in March, the third consecutive year inflation stayed above the Bank of Japan’s 2% target.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) notes that the price spike was primarily driven by poor harvests, extreme weather conditions in 2023, and increased demand, including from tourism.

Inefficiency at the Root of the Problem

Japan's rice supply chain is heavily reliant on elderly farmers running small-scale, low-efficiency operations, according to Sayuri Shirai, professor of economics at Keio University. With an ageing population and declining rural workforce, productivity in rice farming is stagnating, leading to lower output and higher prices.

To make matters worse, Japan imposes high tariffs on foreign rice imports to protect its domestic industry. “Japanese like Japanese rice. They don’t really like foreign rice,” Shirai said, emphasizing the cultural and economic isolation of Japan’s rice sector.

Imports, Hoarding, and a Weak Yen Add Fuel to the Fire

Despite efforts to stabilize prices through government stockpile releases and record-high rice imports, public anxiety remains. Many households and businesses began panic-buying and stockpiling rice in anticipation of further hikes.

At the same time, the yen’s sharp depreciation is making imported food significantly more expensive, worsening the already fragile economic situation. Japan imports about 60% of its food supply, yet its food self-sufficiency rate is only 38%, far below the government’s target of 45% by 2030.

Political Fallout: A Cabinet in Crisis

Eto’s resignation comes as a blow to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, whose cabinet has seen its approval rating plummet to an all-time low of 27.4%, as reported by Kyodo News. Critics cite the administration’s failure to handle rising food prices and rejection of proposed tax cuts amid inflation.

In an attempt to contain the fallout, Ishiba appointed former Environment Minister Koizumi Shinjiro as Eto’s successor. Still, the resignation adds further strain to a government already battling ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S. and domestic economic discontent.

Conclusion: A Symbol of Deeper Issues

Taku Eto’s resignation isn’t just about an offhand remark—it highlights Japan's deeper agricultural inefficiencies, inflationary pressure, and political disconnect. With food prices climbing and economic anxiety spreading, the Japanese public's tolerance for tone-deaf leadership is wearing thin. The road ahead for the government will require not only smarter agricultural reform but also more empathy for the everyday struggles of its citizens.