Japan's Agricultural Minister resigns after Reis breakdown - price pressure is growing

Japan's Agricultural Minister resigns after Reis breakdown - price pressure is growing

A thoughtless remark about the purchase of rice has cost Japan's Minister of Agriculture, while the pressure on the government is growing to solve the country's rice crisis. On Wednesday, Taku Eto resigned and told reporters that he came to the conclusion that he was "not the right person for this role" after he had triggered a public outcry with the statement that he "had so much rice at home".

price increase in rice ensures political turbulence

The price of rice - Japan's most important primary food - has become a significant political issue, since prices have increased at record heights this year. The government has taken unusual steps to cope with the Situation, including the Releasation of emergency reserves Import foreign travel.

eto’s misfortune could for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba

political consequences and public reaction

"I've never bought rice myself. To be honest, my supporters bring me a lot of rice. I have so much rice at home that I could sell him," said Eto in a speech at the weekend, whereupon he attracted public outrage. He later made it clear that he actually bought rice and regretted his comments. "I made an extremely inadequate remark as a responsible minister. I apologize again with the people of Japan," said Eto on Wednesday after his resignation. He added that he was "completely recognized" what people go through due to the richerds.

growing frustration about the cost of living

Frustration on the increasing cost of living in Japan is a serious threat to Prime Minister Ishiba and his Liberalemocratic Party, while the country is heading for the elections to the upper house in July. According to a survey by the Japanese news agency Kyodo, the latest approval values for Ishibas cabinet have dropped to 27.4 %, which is a record level. Almost every ninth surveyed households stated that the government's efforts to limit the travel prices were inadequate.

The party of Ishiba, which Japan ruled for almost the entire post -war period, suffered a However, significant defeat was able to stay in power by looking for support from smaller parties. Another defeat in the upcoming elections could endanger the rule of his coalition and trigger demands for a new guide.

travel prices at a record level

Despite the government's efforts to reduce prices, the travel prices in Japan stubbornly remain high - almost twice as high as a year ago. The average retail price for rice rose in the second week of May 4,268 yen ($ 29.4) per five kilograms and thus turned up a slight decline, which was recorded in the previous month, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing.

At the beginning of the year, the government took the rare measure, hundreds of tons of rice from its emergency reserves to offer to lower prices. Several auctions are scheduled until July, in which hundreds of tons of rice are released. Japan, who attaches great importance to his domestic rice, also increased the import of rice from abroad, mainly from the USA. In April, rice from South Korea was also imported for the first time since 1999.

new those responsible for the rice crisis

Coping with the rice crisis is now in the hands of Shinjiro Koizumi, a former environmental minister and son of a former Japanese prime minister that Ishiba has appointed head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing. "I have instructed Mr. Koizumi to make extensive efforts to offer consumers rice at a stable price, especially in view of the currently high ricans," said Ishiba.