People know that politicians have it better than they do. They just don’t like to be reminded of it. Japan’s soon-to-be-former Minister of Agriculture learned that the hard way after bragging that he had so much rice, he could sell it. The comment, not surprisingly, didn’t land well with Japanese consumers who are paying twice as much for rice as they used to.
Open mouth, insert foot (not rice)
The controversy involves Etō Taku, the head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). As agency minister, Etō is responsible for responding to rising concerns over Japan’s rice prices. The retail price of rice has shot up to twice its cost last year, thanks to last summer’s overly hot weather.
There seems to be little Japan’s government can do about this. The price hasn’t fallen significantly since MAFF began releasing some of the country’s strategic reserves. Many experts say consumers shouldn’t expect relief until the fall, when this year’s crops hit shelves.
In other words, the most a politician can probably do right now (outside of sideways strategies, like offering cash payments to taxpayers) is be sympathetic to the Japanese consumers’ plight.
Etō chose to…well, not do that. Instead, at a fundraising party in Shiga Prefecture, he thought it was a good idea to say, “I’ve never bought rice.”
The Minister compounded his mistake by continuing to say words. “My supporters give me tons of rice. I have so much in my pantry, I could sell it.”
The opposition was preparing to gang up
The brazen comment stirred outrage among the Japanese public, which continues to reel from the high price of its staple crop. Etō apologized and retracted his statement but showed no sign of resigning from his position.
At first, Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru seemed set on salvaging his minister. He called Etō to the Prime Minister’s residence and let him off with a warning. It didn’t quell the controversy.
Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) faces a potentially tough Upper House election this summer. It’s still bruising from its losses in last October’s Lower House elections, which have forced it into a coalition government.
Smelling blood in the water ahead of July’s vote, Japan’s five key opposition parties all vowed to hound Etō to the ends of the Earth. The Constitutional Democratic Party, Innovation Party, Democratic Party for the People, Reiwa, and the Japanese Communist Party said they would submit a no-confidence resolution to the Diet.
“I really feel for the kids”
In the past, this would have been a purely symbolic move. However, Ishiba and his advisors were apparently worried that, in today’s political climate, the resolution would pass. As Tobias Harris’ moving poll shows, while Ishiba’s current poll numbers are stable, they’re still underwater. A scandal of this magnitude could send them south quickly.
As a result, news broke today that Etō would be moved out of his position and replaced. Before that could officially happen, the Minister voluntarily submitted his resignation. He said PM Ishiba had accepted it and he once again apologized for his comments.
While that may address the current controversy, it doesn’t address Japan’s anger over the rice crisis. Jiji’s Yahoo! News JP article on Etō getting the boot has nearly 10,000 comments as people vent their frustration.
“Of course he’s being dismissed, but what about resolving the rice issue?” wrote one user whose comment received 70,000 likes. “Rice is a staple food. I’m a jolly old guy who can get by, but I really feel for the kids. Does the LDP really not care about making sure growing kids can eat safe, healthy Japanese rice?”
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Sources
首相、農水相更迭へ 石破政権で初、打撃必至. Jiji.com
野党5党、江藤農水相の更迭要求で一致 政権内に辞任不可避の見方. Asahi Shimbun
