Does Ishiba Gov't Even Know How to Bring Rice Prices Down?

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Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Taku Eto was sacked on Wednesday, May 21. He had been widely and severely criticized after making outlandish statements, such as "I have never had to buy rice." However, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's decision to replace him came too late. Ishiba should seriously reflect on his own lack of judgment.

Regarding the soaring rice prices, Eto flippantly remarked, "I have so many supporters giving me rice that we have enough to sell in our home food pantry."

Despite his inability to lower rice prices, Eto chose to make such insensitive remarks. He thereby demonstrated his severe lack of awareness and other qualifications to serve as the top official in charge of agricultural policy.

What is difficult to understand is how Prime Minister Ishiba initially tried to protect Eto and dismissed the option of replacing him. Did the Prime Minister think Eto could carry out his duties despite lacking the public's trust?

All five opposition parties agreed on calling for Eto's replacement. With that pressure and the prospect of a no-confidence motion in his minister, Ishiba was eventually forced to change his mind. Nevertheless, by then several days had gone by. The bizarre affair has proved a major blow to the Ishiba administration.

Eto had already proved unable to bring about lower prices for Japan's staple food, rice. Yet, despite public anger about skyrocketing prices, he still went ahead and made his asinine remarks. It was inevitable that public opinion would force him to resign.

*Agriculture Minister Taku Eto responds to questions from reporters after submitting his resignation to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.*

Magnifying the Mistakes

Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, raised the issue of rice prices during the May 21 Diet debate among party leaders.

Asked about measures to curb prices, PM Ishiba said, "From supermarkets and other retailers to wholesalers, producers, and distribution companies, we need to understand where, why, and how much is being stockpiled."

He thereby made it clear that his administration does not yet have the details of the supply situation. This means public expectations of a steady reduction in rice prices are unlikely to be realized.

Asked how much he thought five kilograms (11 pounds) of rice should cost, Ishiba said: "It should be in the ￥3,000 JPY ($21 USD) range. We will achieve that price as soon as possible."

But when pressed as to whether he would take responsibility if that target could not be met, Ishiba only evaded. Instead of giving a straight answer, he said, "It is the government's responsibility to provide a proper explanation as to why the price of rice cannot be brought down."

*Shinjiro Koizumi is the new Agriculture Minister, from May 22.(©Sankei by Takumi Kamoshida)*

New Minister a Nice Guy, Not an Expert

Shinjiro Koizumi, the former environment minister, was appointed to succeed Eto, but concerns remain. Koizumi served as director of the Liberal Democratic Party's Agriculture and Forestry Division and previously advocated for reform of agricultural cooperatives. However, having achieved no notable results, he cannot be considered an agricultural policy expert.

The lack of progress regarding rice policy is directly linked to rice prices and the lives of the people, and cannot be tolerated any longer. This is a do-or-die moment for Koizumi. He needs to step forward with firm resolve and deliver tangible results.