Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has apologized for the agriculture minister's controversial comments about rice. But he suggested that he wants the minister to remain in his post and stabilize the rising price of the staple grain.
Agriculture minister Eto Taku said in a speech on Sunday that he has "never bought rice" himself. He added that his supporters give him so much rice that he has enough to sell. Eto later apologized and withdrew the remarks.
Ishiba told reporters on Tuesday that Eto's remarks were extremely inappropriate toward consumers struggling with soaring rice prices and farmers working hard to produce the crop. He said he feels acutely responsible as the person who appointed the minister.
Asked whether the public could understand the decision to keep Eto in his post, Ishiba said the minister's job is to sincerely apologize and achieve concrete results in addressing soaring rice prices. Ishiba indicated that he would like Eto to fulfill his responsibilities.
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