Japan’s Agriculture Minister Taku Eto has resigned amid a heated debate over his comment that he never had to buy rice because it was given to him as gifts, just as the country grapples with record-high prices of its traditional staple food.
Japan’s Agriculture Minister, ‘Taku Eto’ , has resigned amid a heated debate over his comment that he never had to buy rice because it was given to him as gifts. The resignation comes at a critical time for the government, which is struggling to address record-high prices of Japan’s traditional staple food.
Taku Eto is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare from 2007 to 2008.
Born in 1953, Eto has been involved in various scandals throughout his career, including the 'revolving door' scandal involving pharmaceutical companies.
He was also accused of violating election laws during his campaign for a parliamentary seat.
Despite these controversies, Eto remains a prominent figure in Japanese politics.
The Fallout from Minister Eto’s Remark
Eto made the comments during a seminar in Saga prefecture, where many Japanese saw his remarks as out of touch with the economic realities faced by consumers. His comment sparked widespread criticism, and opposition lawmakers threatened to submit a no-confidence motion against him unless he resigned voluntarily.
The Rice Price Crisis: A Structural Problem
The government has released tons of rice from its emergency stockpile in recent months, but the latest agricultural ministry statistics show that this measure has not significantly helped the situation. Some supermarkets have started selling cheaper imported rice, further exacerbating the problem.
The global rice crisis refers to a period of significant price increases and food insecurity caused by disruptions in the global rice supply chain.
The main causes include climate change, increased demand, and export restrictions.
In 2008, rice prices rose by over 50% due to these factors, affecting millions of people worldwide.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 'rice is a staple food for more than half of the world's population.'
The Government’s Response and Criticisms
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba recently proposed agricultural reforms to strengthen Japan’s food security and self-sufficiency. However, critics argue that he should prioritize addressing the ongoing rice crisis rather than proposing new policies. ‘Ishiba suspects the rice price surge is a ‘structural problem’ and plans to take steps to increase rice production and exports.’
Shigeru Ishiba is a Japanese politician and former Defense Minister.
Born in 1938, he graduated from the University of Tokyo and began his career in politics in the 1960s.
Ishiba served as the Defense Minister from 2004 to 2006 and has been a member of the House of Representatives since 1981.
He is known for his conservative views on defense policy and his support for Japan's alliance with the United States.
A Complex Supply Chain Problem
The shortage of rice in Japan is attributed to poor harvests due to hot weather in 2023, higher fertilizer costs, and a complex supply chain. The government has denied that there is a rice shortage, but officials are struggling to understand why rice is not reaching consumers efficiently.
A Changing Diet and Cultural Significance
Japanese rice demand has decreased over the past few decades as people’s diets have diversified. However, rice remains a staple food in Japanese culture and history. When its prices rise weekly, many see ‘Eto’s resignation as a necessary step towards addressing the issue.’
Shizuko Oshima, 73, notes that ‘Rice is the stable food for the Japanese. When its prices are rising every week, (Eto’s) resignation is only natural.’
