Japanese minister resigns after saying he doesn’t buy rice because he gets it free

Published on May 22, 2025
Japanese minister resigns after saying he doesn’t buy rice because he gets it free

Taku Etō’s remarks drew fury as cost of rice has nearly doubled in a year amid soaring food prices

Japan’s agriculture minister has resigned after saying he never buys rice because he gets it free, a remark that drew public fury in a country facing soaring food prices.

Taku Etō’s resignation has added to pressure on the prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, whose failure to rein in soaring rice prices and address a wider cost of living crisis has angered voters ahead of upper house elections in July.

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Japanese minister resigns after saying he doesn’t buy rice because he gets it free