Japan's agriculture minister, Taku Eto, has resigned following a public backlash over a remark he made about not buying rice. The resignation comes at a critical time for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's government, which is grappling with a rice crisis marked by record high prices and public frustration. Eto's comment, made during a speech, suggested he had so much rice at home from supporters that he could sell it, a statement deemed insensitive given the soaring cost of rice, Japan's staple food.

The rising cost of rice has become a major political issue in Japan, with prices doubling since last year. The government has taken measures, including releasing emergency reserves and importing foreign rice, mainly from the US and even South Korea for the first time since 1999, to combat the crisis. However, these efforts have not yet yielded significant results, and public frustration continues to grow. A Kyodo News poll revealed that 87.1% of respondents viewed the government's response to rising rice prices as inadequate.

Eto acknowledged the inappropriateness of his remarks, stating that he deeply regretted his comments and apologized to the people of Japan for making an extremely inappropriate remark as the minister responsible. The gaffe has further weakened Prime Minister Ishiba's already low approval ratings, which have slipped to a record low of 27.4%. The rising cost of living, particularly the price of rice, is shaping up to be a major threat to Ishiba and his Liberal Democratic Party as the country heads to upper house elections in July.

Shinjiro Koizumi, a former environment minister and son of a former Japanese Prime Minister, has been appointed to head the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, replacing Eto. Prime Minister Ishiba has instructed Koizumi to make strong efforts to supply rice to consumers at a stable price, especially in light of the current high rice prices.