Economics

Japan’s Farm Minister Quits Over Rice Gaffe in Blow to Ishiba

Taku Eto, center, at the parliament in Tokyo on May 19.Source: JIJI Press/AFP/Getty Images

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By Erica Yokoyama and Yuko Takeo

May 20, 2025 at 7:20 PM EDT

Updated on

May 21, 2025 at 2:08 AM EDT

Japan’s farm minister quit Wednesday after saying he’s never needed to buy rice, a comment that fueled criticism of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s minority government and its handling of rising food prices ahead of an election.

Agriculture Minister Taku Eto announced his resignation on Wednesday after his recent comment set off a firestorm of criticism. Eto said he had never purchased rice himself because he received so much of it as donations from supporters.