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Japan's Agriculture Minister Resigns Amid Rice Crisis Outrage

5/24/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Japan's Agriculture Minister Taku Eto has stepped down after igniting public fury with his remarks about enjoying free rice during a time of national scarcity and skyrocketing prices. With retail rice costs doubling, discontent has surged, plummeting Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's approval rating to a mere 27.4%. The government’s efforts to tackle the crisis, including emergency stockpile releases, have fallen short.

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Story summary

Japan's Agriculture Minister Taku Eto has stepped down after igniting public fury with his remarks about enjoying free rice during a time of national scarcity and skyrocketing prices. With retail rice costs doubling, discontent has surged, plummeting Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's approval rating to a mere 27.4%. The government’s efforts to tackle the crisis, including emergency stockpile releases, have fallen short.