Japan’s agriculture minister Eto Taku is stepping down over controversial remarks he made about rice. He submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru on Wednesday morning
Eto said on Sunday that he has never bought rice because he receives it for free from his supporters, and has so much that he could sell it.
He later retracted his remarks, which came at a time when prices of the staple grain are soaring in Japan.
On Wednesday, Ishiba said: “Eto decided to resign because if the confusion over his remark had continued, it would affect the implementation of agricultural policies. I approved his offer.”
Eto told reporters after submitting his resignation that his comment undermined the government’s work to lower prices and build trust among the Japanese people.
He said: “People are now having a hard time dealing with soaring rice prices. Amid these circumstances, I made extremely inappropriate remarks as the minister in charge. I would like to offer my sincere apologies to everyone.”
Ishiba told the Diet on Tuesday that Eto’s comments were extremely inappropriate, and apologized to the public as the person who appointed him.
The prime minister had intended to let Eto remain in his post and lead the effort to stabilize rice prices.
Opposition lawmakers slammed Eto for his remarks, demanding his swift removal from the post.
Constitutional Democratic Party President Noda Yoshihiko said on Wednesday: “I believe this resignation is de facto dismissal. So, the move was quite natural.”
Noda also called on the government to make all-out efforts to quickly and effectively lower prices.
