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Japan’s Agriculture Minister Taku Eto told the media after his resignation that I have resigned.
Former Japanese Agriculture Minister Taku Eato made it very expensive to make a funny statement at the increased price of rice. He even had to resign. He had said that he never buys rice, but he gets free. After this statement, the anger of the people struggling with inflation erupted.
Eto went to the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday and submitted his resignation. After this resignation, the pressure on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to reduce inflation increased further.
His government is facing the anger of people due to not being able to control the ever -increasing prices of rice. In Japan, the upper house of Parliament is going to be elected in July, in such a situation, this issue is getting more political.
Rice became expensive in two years
Japan’s most famous Koshikari brand rice is being sold for about 5,000 yen (Rs 3000) per 5 kg. Whereas in 2023, the price of 5 kg of rice was an average of about 2,000 yen (1100 rupees).
Prime Minister Ishiba has promised that the average price of rice will be brought up to 3,000 yen (Rs 1700) per 5 kg.
Rice of the Koshikari brand is very much preferred in Japan. It has been given a special A grade by the Japan Grain Inspection Association.
Environment Minister made new Agriculture Minister
Taku Eto said in a fund rage program last week- I never bought rice myself, because my supporters donate me so much rice that I can sell it.
This statement of Eto provoked people, as they have to pay almost double the price for a sack of rice in a year ago.
On Wednesday, Shinjiro Koizumi was made the Agriculture Minister in place of Eato, who was the first Environment Minister. Coizhymis have contested against Prime Minister Ishiba for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership. However, he failed in this.
In Japan, Shinjiro Koizumi was made the Minister of Agriculture in Japan. Prior to this, he has been the Minister of Environment.
Prime Minister had also apologized for the statement
According to Japan’s Kyo News Agency, Taku Eto said- I asked myself whether it is okay for me to remain an agricultural minister even after the ever-increasing prices of rice. After that I decided whether it is not right.
He said- I once again apologize to the people that when people are struggling with rising rice prices, I made a very wrong statement as a minister. I had gone ahead a lot.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also apologized for his minister’s statement.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba apologized on the statement of the Agriculture Minister.
Japan imported rice for the first time in 25 years
The price of rice in Japan has always been a major politics issue. In 1918, a government fell due to the riots over rice prices.
The present government made several attempts to control rice prices, but she was not effective. Now the opposition and common people are demanding a cut in consumption tax, so that the burden of inflation can be reduced.
Due to the rice crisis, many Japanese restaurants and common people are now insisting on calling cheap rice from other countries. In April, Japan imported rice from South Korea for the first time in 25 years.
Large drop in approval rating of the government of Japan
Many reasons are being held responsible for the lack of rice in Japan. In 2023, due to the warm crop due to hot weather and ‘Magquack’ (big earthquake) in 2024, people bought more rice in fear. This also led to black marketing.
The popularity of the Ishiba government has also declined due to rising inflation. In Kyodo’s recent survey, 87% of people accused the government of failing to handle rice prices. The approval rating of the Ishiba government is 27.4%, which is the lowest after assuming power in October last year.