Japanese Agriculture Minister resigns after rice gifts scandal.

In a surprising move, Japanese Agriculture Minister Takuo Ito has resigned after controversial statements he made regarding rice, which sparked anger in the country. Ito openly admitted that he never had to buy rice thanks to gifts from his supporters, causing great dismay at a time when Japanese consumers are facing a severe rice shortage and unprecedented price hikes. Following these statements, Ito faced widespread criticism, with many deeming his remarks inappropriate, especially given Japan's current economic conditions. Although Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba initially stated he would not dismiss Ito over these statements, he later backtracked under increasing pressure from the opposition and the public, ultimately agreeing to his resignation. Ito formally apologized for his controversial statements that stirred up a commotion in Japanese society. The Japanese government had released around 300,000 tons of stored rice between March and April this year in an attempt to alleviate the crisis and stabilize prices. Ministry of Agriculture data showed that the total rice obtained by major distributors in the country by the end of January was 230,000 tons less compared to the previous year, despite an increase in the crop size. The rice market crisis in Japan continues, with mounting pressure on the government to provide effective solutions amidst the rising prices of this staple commodity.