Japan – The ongoing rice crisis has taken a political toll. On Monday, Agriculture Minister Taku Etō stepped down following a public backlash over remarks that highlighted the disconnect between Japan’s political elite and everyday citizens grappling with rising food prices.
Etō, speaking at a fundraiser, casually noted that he “never buys rice” because supporters provide it in abundance. While seemingly offhand, the comment proved politically costly. It came amid a national food inflation crisis, with rice prices nearly doubling over the past year due to failed harvests, panic buying, and suspected stockpiling by distributors.
His resignation marks a rare moment of political accountability in Asia’s economic powerhouse, and reflects the enduring weight of public trust in Japanese governance.
“It is not appropriate for me to remain in this role during a sensitive time for rice prices,” Etō admitted, stepping down amid mounting criticism.
The incident not only undermined Etō’s credibility but also added pressure on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, whose administration has been under fire for failing to contain cost-of-living pressures. With upper house elections approaching in July, Ishiba faces a critical test of public confidence.
Analysts suggest that Etō’s misstep is symptomatic of broader tensions within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), as Japan’s ruling class struggles to balance economic realities with public expectations. Recent polling from Kyodo indicates that 87% of Japanese citizens disapprove of the government’s handling of food prices, placing Ishiba’s leadership on increasingly shaky ground.
The resignation could also complicate Japan’s regional image as a model of food security and crisis resilience. Earlier this year, Japan made the unprecedented move of importing rice from South Korea—its first such purchase in 25 years—to ease domestic shortages. This gesture, while necessary, underscores the severity of the situation.
Shinjirō Koizumi, a former environment minister and known political reformist, will assume the agriculture portfolio. Whether Koizumi can stabilize the ministry’s public image and deliver results before the election remains to be seen.
At a time when Asian economies are navigating post-pandemic volatility, energy prices, and climate-related disruptions, Japan’s rice crisis presents a case study in how food policy, leadership optics, and public emotion can collide—with serious electoral consequences.
