Japan's Farm Minister Quits Over Rice Gaffe in Hit to Ishiba
By and Yuko Takeo
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Japan's farm minister resigned Wednesday after saying over the weekend that he's never bought rice, drawing criticism at a time when the government is facing heat for rising food prices ahead of an election.
Agriculture Minister Taku Eto said his resignation was accepted by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Wednesday. The stepping down is a setback for the administration as it tries to convince the public it is doing enough to tamp down soaring food prices including rice with the upper house election looming in the summer.
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