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.
“Just now I submitted my resignation to prime minister Ishiba,” Etō told reporters at the prime minister’s office.
Etō had faced calls for his resignation after claiming that he never had to buy rice, relying instead on gifts from supporters.
Etō had initially sympathised with the “hardship” felt by consumers after the government released about 300,000 tons of rice from emergency stockpiles earlier this year in the hope of bringing down prices. But speaking at a fundraiser last weekend, Etō said he had “never bought rice myself because my supporters donate so much to me that I can practically sell it”.
Even if you eat rice for every meal and are feeding a family, that’s got to be what, $250 a year?
It’s more of a “Minister of agriculture doesn’t even know price of rice yet takes decisions for it.” It is bad when you think about it.
But damn he actually resigned. People criticized him and he took responsibility. Damn you Japan for giving me politician dysmorphia.
Also apparently his wife buys the rice lmao.
Lmfao at the last bit