Japan farm chief quits over free rice gaffe

Japan's farm minister resigned Wednesday after admitting he never buys rice because he receives it for free — a remark that provoked public outrage amid soaring food prices in the country.

"Just now I submitted my resignation to Prime Minister (Shigeru) Ishiba," Taku Eto told reporters at the premier's office.

Japan's government has released part of its emergency stockpile of rice in recent months, with Eto previously acknowledging the "hardship" faced by consumers.

However, during an event last weekend, Eto remarked that he had "never bought rice myself because my supporters donate so much to me that I can practically sell".

The comment struck a nerve in a country where rice prices have nearly doubled year-on-year, according to government data published in April.

Contributing factors to the rice shortage include poor harvests caused by unusually hot weather in 2023 and panic-buying triggered by a “megaquake” warning issued last year.

Eto's remarks were slammed as "extremely inappropriate, out of touch and intolerable" by Junya Ogawa, secretary-general of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.

On Monday, Eto attempted to walk back the statement, saying he had exaggerated and faced backlash 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 Ishiba reprimanded Eto on Tuesday, offering what the minister described as "very tough words," but initially indicated he would remain in his post.

By Wednesday, however, Eto had tendered his resignation, which Ishiba accepted.