Japan's Agriculture Minister Taku Eto has resigned following severe backlash over a comment about not needing to buy rice during a nationwide shortage. His remark, which highlighted his disconnect from citizens facing surging prices, led to significant public outrage. With retail rice prices doubling in the last year, Eto's resignation reflects broader dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the situation. Recent polls show Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's approval ratings plummeting, with many citizens deeming the government's efforts to address rising prices inadequate.
"I made an extremely inappropriate remark at a time when citizens are suffering from soaring rice prices," Eto told reporters after submitting his resignation at the prime minister's office.
According to a Kyodo News poll released Sunday, his approval rating has dropped to 27.4%, down from 32.6% the previous month.
The same poll revealed that 87.1% of respondents viewed the government's response to rising rice prices as inadequate.
Eto came under fire earlier this week after stating that he had 'never had to buy rice' because supporters gave it to him, a remark that sparked public outrage.
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