Japan’s Farm Minister Resigns After Rice Joke Sparks Outrage

Agriculture Minister Taku Eto resigned from his position after making an offensive joke about receiving free rice which sparked widespread public anger because Japan faces its most severe cost-of-living crisis since the 1980s.

Eto delivered a joke during a local fundraiser where he said he never needed to purchase rice because supporters provided him with "plenty." His words failed to create amusement because they touched the wrong emotional chord. The price of rice has surged more than double since the previous year while numerous families struggle to purchase their required national staple. Eto faced opposition threats of a no-confidence vote that led him to resign as minister.

The mistake made by Eto has worsened the problems facing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's unstable minority government which currently faces declining support from the public. Japan has experienced numerous rice-related conflicts since 1918 when food shortages led to government collapse and the public remains extremely sensitive about this matter.

Politicians shop at different locations than ordinary supermarkets because they lack our understanding of the situation we face said Memori Higuchi from Yokohama. The upcoming change in her baby's eating habits has forced her to evaluate reducing rice from their meals for budget control.

The government made an error according to Kunio Nishikawa who serves as an agricultural economist. The ministry officials predicted 6.8 million tonnes of rice demand but actual demand exceeded 7.05 million tonnes. The rise in tourist visits and post-pandemic eating habits increased the amount of rice people consumed. The agricultural production dropped to 6.61 million tonnes because of bad weather conditions which caused poor crop quality.

The agriculture ministry revealed the production shortage while announcing plans to implement new solutions. The emergency rice reserves underwent auction in March to control market prices.

The unprofitable nature of rice cultivation for many years caused farmers to abandon their fields and choose different crops or exit the agricultural sector. The current rice price increase to 50,000 yen ($340) for 60kg might lead some farmers to find profitability in their business.

Eto faced the worst possible moment when he made his comment. The public saw his remarks as both insensitive and disconnected from reality which likely destroyed his political career while harming the government's already damaged economic reputation.