Rice Price Fury Forces Japanese Minister to Quit as Elections Loom

Japan’s Agriculture Minister, Taku Eto, resigned in disgrace after making a flippant comment that outraged a nation already angry over soaring rice prices. He had joked during a speech that he had never purchased rice because his supporters gave him so much that he “could sell it.” This remark quickly triggered a national backlash, especially given the current economic hardship many Japanese citizens are enduring.

Public frustration boiled over at a time when rice, a dietary cornerstone in Japan, has become a political lightning rod due to its skyrocketing cost. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s administration is already dealing with record-low approval ratings, and the controversy around Eto’s remarks added fuel to the fire. Just weeks before a critical election, the scandal has intensified scrutiny of the government’s handling of the cost-of-living crisis.

Although Eto later walked back his statement and claimed he does in fact buy rice, his apology failed to calm public anger. He admitted his words were “extremely inappropriate” and stepped down, saying he wasn’t the right person to manage the crisis. His resignation became inevitable amid mounting calls for accountability from both opposition parties and the general public.

Rice prices have nearly doubled compared to last year, with the average retail price hitting 4,268 yen ($29.40 USD) per five kilograms in May. This surge follows a short-lived dip in prices and is seen as part of a broader trend of inflation affecting essential goods in Japan. The rising cost of rice has deeply impacted household budgets, making it a key issue for voters.

In response, the Japanese government has begun releasing large volumes of rice from emergency reserves through scheduled auctions. These efforts, aimed at increasing supply and curbing prices, will continue until at least July. At the same time, imports of foreign rice—including South Korean rice for the first time since 1999—have been expanded to ease the pressure.

However, many remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures. A Kyodo News poll showed the Ishiba cabinet’s approval had plunged to a record low of 27.4%. Almost 11% of households surveyed said the government was failing to adequately address rice inflation. The dissatisfaction has left the ruling Liberal Democratic Party vulnerable ahead of the upper house elections.

To regain control of the narrative, Ishiba appointed Shinjiro Koizumi—son of a former prime minister and a popular political figure—to lead the Agriculture Ministry. Koizumi now faces the dual challenge of restoring public trust and solving the rice supply crisis. Ishiba instructed him to stabilize prices and ensure food security for all citizens.

This scandal has exposed deeper frustrations about inequality and political negligence in Japan. With elections drawing near, the fallout from Eto’s comments threatens to undermine Ishiba’s already shaky leadership. What seemed like an offhand remark may end up costing the ruling coalition its dominance in Japanese politics.