Latest news with #EtoTaku
NHK
22-05-2025
- Business
- NHK
New agriculture minister Koizumi officially takes over duties
Japan's new agriculture minister Koizumi Shinjiro has pledged to tackle soaring rice prices as he officially takes over from his predecessor Eto Taku. Koizumi spoke to reporters about the release of government stockpiles of rice when he arrived at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on Thursday. He said the ministry will supply the reserve rice without limit if necessary. He said he wants to act quickly and make every effort to be able to deliver results as soon as possible. Koizumi and Eto met in the minister's office in the afternoon. Eto stepped down over his controversial remarks about rice. After a handshake, Eto passed handover documents to Koizumi, saying "I'll leave it in your hands." Koizumi replied, "Got it." Koizumi told reporters on Wednesday that the ministry will put a fourth auction of stockpiled rice on hold. The ministry under Eto had planned the auction for next week. Koizumi instead announced a plan to switch to direct contracts with individual buyers. With rice prices continuing to soar, the question is whether the new agriculture minister can help bring them down.
NHK
21-05-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Japan's PM Ishiba decides to appoint Koizumi Shinjiro as new farm minister
Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has decided to appoint Koizumi Shinjiro, the former chairperson of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Election Strategy Committee, to succeed Eto Taku as agriculture minister. The move came after Eto submitted his resignation to Ishiba on Wednesday morning, and it was accepted. Koizumi, 44, has been elected to the Lower House six times from Kanagawa's 11th district. He was first elected in 2009 at the age of 28, succeeding his father, former Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro. He became a Cabinet member for the first time in 2019, serving as environment minister under former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. He was 38 at the time. He retained the same post in the administration of former Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide. Koizumi was one of the nine contenders in the LDP leadership election in September. He placed third in the first round of voting and did not advance to the runoff. But he garnered 75 votes -- the largest number -- from Diet members. Following the launch of the Ishiba administration, Koizumi was appointed chairperson of the party's Election Strategy Committee, but stepped down to take responsibility for the party's major setback in the Lower House election in October. The prime minister appears intent on restoring public confidence in his administration and continuing efforts to stabilize rice prices with the appointment of Koizumi, who has previous Cabinet experience and strong knowledge of agricultural policy.
NHK
20-05-2025
- Business
- NHK
Japan's farm minister submits resignation over controversial rice remarks
Japan's agriculture minister Eto Taku on Wednesday submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru over his controversial remarks. He said he has never bought rice amid high prices of the staple grain.
NHK
19-05-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Japan farm minister retracts comment on rice amid rising prices
Japanese agriculture minister Eto Taku has retracted a comment he made about rice over the weekend. Eto apologized and suggested that he would remain in his post. Eto made the remark during a speech in the city of Saga on Sunday, when talking about how to speed up the distribution of rice from government stockpiles in an effort to bring down skyrocketing prices. Eto said: "I have never bought rice myself. Frankly, my supporters give me quite a lot of rice. I have so much rice at home that I could sell it." Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru told reporters on Monday that, as the person who appointed Eto, he apologizes deeply. Ishiba said there is no rice in some stores, and, even if there is, it is very expensive. He said consumers are angry and worried. He described Eto's comment as "extremely problematic." Eto spoke to reporters after he was summoned to the prime minister's office and reprimanded by Ishiba. Eto said he was told to reflect on the matter seriously and to continue making efforts to bring down rice prices. Opposition lawmakers appear poised to grill Eto over his remark at a Diet committee meeting on Tuesday.
NHK
19-05-2025
- Business
- NHK
Rice prices up as minister walks back offhand remark
Data from the agriculture ministry show rice prices are up again for the week through May 11, reversing a slight decline the week before. The figures come from about 1,000 supermarkets nationwide. The average price of a 5-kilogram bag of rice stood at 4,268 yen, or about $29.50. That is up 54 yen, or 40 cents, from the week before. The current price is around double what it was a year ago. Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Eto Taku tried to explain comments he made over the weekend that he had never purchased rice himself. Eto was speaking at an event on Sunday held by the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party. He said: "I have never bought rice myself. Frankly, my supporters give me quite a lot of rice. I have so much rice in my pantry at home that I could sell it." On Monday, Eto told reporters he actually does buy rice on a regular basis. At a Diet committee meeting later on, he said his statement had been "inappropriate," and he wanted to retract it. Eto said: "I made a comment that was different from the actual situation. I deeply regret causing such confusion." Eto went on to say he had lacked consideration for consumers struggling with high prices. He also said he wanted to encourage people to buy brown rice instead of white rice to make distribution easier.
