The top “Koshihikari” brand now sells for nearly 5,000 yen ($35) per 5 kilograms (11 pounds). Rice stocks at Japan ...

Japan’s farm minister Taku Eto stepped down on Wednesday following public outrage over one hot-button issue: rice.

Farm minister Taku Eto explains himself over his rice gaffe during a press briefing at his ministry in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on May 19, 2025. (Mainichi/Hajime Nakatsugawa) What controversial remark ...

Japan’s rice prices have surged over 150%, triggering supermarket rationing, emergency reserves, and a ministerial ...

The Japanese government's announcement that it would sell 300,000 metric tons of rice directly to major retailers to curb ...

Former Japanese environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi was appointed the new agriculture minister on Wednesday following the ...

Japan’s new farm minister said Monday the country’s embattled government would release reserve rice directly to large ...

This week Japan’s farm minister resigned after a gaffe about rice that drew public fury. Taku Eto told a gathering over the weekend that he had “never bought rice myself because my supporters ...

Agricultural Minister Taku Eto was also forced to resign this week after he created an uproar for stating that he “never had to buy rice” due to the many gifts of rice he received from supporters.

His predecessor Taku Eto was forced to resign after angering voters by saying he never had to buy rice thanks to gifts from supporters. Mr Koizumi said he aimed for stockpiled rice to reach store ...