Taku Eto (left) and Shinjiro Koizumi (right). - Photos: The Yomiuri Shimbun file
TOKYO: (Bernama-Kyodo) Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday (May 21) dismissed Agriculture Minister Taku Eto over a controversial remark on rice prices, in a move seen as an effort to quell public anger ahead of a key parliamentary election.
According to Kyodo news agency, Eto had said at a recent fundraising event that he receives so much rice from supporters that he is "not buying any,” a comment widely criticised as insensitive at a time of soaring food prices.
Eto, 64, later admitted the remark was inappropriate and said he had meant it as a joke, but acknowledged it had gone too far.
"I concluded that it is not appropriate for me to stay at the helm at a critical time for rice prices,” he told reporters after tendering his resignation -- becoming the first Cabinet member to step down under Ishiba’s administration.
The gaffe came as the Agriculture Ministry moved to release emergency rice stockpiles in a bid to stabilise prices, which have nearly doubled compared to a year ago, fuelling discontent among consumers.
Amid mounting pressure from the opposition and within the ruling coalition, Ishiba appointed former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, 44, to replace Eto as agriculture minister.
"I accept full responsibility for having appointed him,” Ishiba said, expressing hope that Koizumi’s appointment would help restore public trust.
Koizumi, a prominent figure in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and son of former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, pledged to focus on addressing concerns over rice policy.
"I will devote myself to addressing public concerns and rebuilding trust,” he said after his appointment.
The scandal adds to growing challenges for Ishiba’s administration, which is battling low approval ratings ahead of a critical House of Councillors election this summer. - Bernama-Kyodo
