Politics Japanese agriculture minister slammed over rice remark

[thomas]

Rice, its shortage, and skyrocketing prices are pretty sensitive topics in Japan. When Eto Taku, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, publicly stated on Sunday that he didn't need to buy rice because he received so much from supporters, at a time when soaring rice prices have squeezed households, all hell broke loose:

Eto made his remarks on Sunday during a fundraising event. His ministry prepared to release rice from government emergency reserves to stabilise prices. Due to a poor harvest, the cost of rice has nearly doubled compared to the previous year, and prices remain high. PM Ishiba summoned Eto to his office and urged him to withdraw the "problematic" comments. However, Ishiba allowed him to stay on as Minister of Agriculture, expecting him to take responsibility and help reduce the financial strain of rising rice prices on ordinary households ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections this summer. Speaking at a gathering hosted by the ruling LDP's local branch in Saga Prefecture, located in Kyushu, Eto had said, "I'm not buying rice. My supporters give me so much that my house is full of it—I could practically sell it."

Apparently, his wife also scolded him, pointing out that she had to shop for rice regularly. Had he any decency, he'd donate his surplus to a family in need.

Japan farm chief slammed over 'plenty of rice' remark amid shortages - The Mainichi

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's farm minister Taku Eto on Monday came under fire after saying that he does not need to buy rice because he receives so much o

mainichi.jp

Farm minister under fire for boasting of ‘free rice stockpile’ | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

Ishiba won't sack farm minister over rice gaffe

The prime minister wants agriculture minister Taku Eto to focus on finding a solution for soaring rice prices.

www.japantimes.co.jp

 

[thomas]

Just in the morning news: Etō Taku was fired.

Agriculture minister Taku Eto submits resignation following rice gaffe

Eto, who came under fire for a quip about never having had to buy rice amid soaring prices, will be the first Cabinet minister to quit since the PM took office last October.

www.japantimes.co.jp

 

[Lothor]

I'm glad someone in the government has taken a hit for this. The fact that rice prices are so high in a country so suited to rice growing is a major failing of successive Japanese governments. I remember reading somewhere that pleasures in Japan come in small doses (cigarettes, pachinko – this was an old book). One of them is a freshly cooked bowl of high-quality rice. I'm not surprised that Japanese people are angry that their staple food has become so expensive through mismanagement.

 

[thomas]

Someone raised the question on JT, but I have been wondering myself: Why is the stockpiled rice not directly sold to retailers but auctioned to intermediary vultures who hoard and take their cut? Is the government obliged to auction it off?

 

[Lothor]

Someone raised the question on JT, but I have been wondering myself: Why is the stockpiled rice not directly sold to retailers but auctioned to intermediary vultures who hoard and take their cut? Is the government obliged to auction it off?

Because it's always been done this way?

Just guessing!

 

[mdchachi]

Someone raised the question on JT, but I have been wondering myself: Why is the stockpiled rice not directly sold to retailers but auctioned to intermediary vultures who hoard and take their cut? Is the government obliged to auction it off?

Somebody has to package it don't they?

 

[thomas]

High time for serious self-reflection.

In Japan, the "my wife got mad at me" comment carries an implicit nuance of "I am sincerely reflecting to the extent that I even listen to my wife's (not particularly necessary) scolding," along with an "oops" vibe -- like a gesture of sticking out one's tongue and smiling to lighten the mood. It is a "Showa era (1926-1989) gesture" suggesting that a husband dominated by his wife is lovable. The phrase "I got scolded by my wife" evokes a mood uniquely associated with Japan's outdated male-dominated society, where saying this to colleagues at work allows men to get sympathy. This might be one of the roots of the "my wife got mad at me" remarks. Politicians, saying "I was scolded by my wife" is not an apology at all. Isn't it time they stopped saying this?

Japan politicians need to stop saying 'I was scolded by my wife' when apologizing

Opinion: Japan politicians need to stop saying 'I was scolded by my wife' when apologizing - The Mainichi

TOKYO --

mainichi.jp

 

[salyavin]

and now Koizumi gets AI raps lol

 

[salyavin]

Now just need a song from his father (the former prime minister who was an Elvis fan) in Elvis style. "Junichiro Koizumi, the former prime minister of Japan, is a known fan of Elvis Presley. In fact, they share the same birthday: January 8th. Koizumi has even released a CD of his favorite Presley songs with his commentary on each." His son Shinjirō Koizumi is the current agricultural minister in the above AI video.