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Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
Politics

Japan farm minister Taku Eto quits after gaffe over free rice

Japan's farm minister Taku Eto (centre) is surrounded by reporters as he enters the prime minister's office on Wednesday [Jiji Press via AFP]

Japan’s farm minister has resigned after a gaffe about receiving free rice from supporters drew public fury in a country experiencing soaring prices of the staple.

Taku Eto’s comment, which many Japanese saw as out of touch with economic realities, came at a seminar Sunday for the Liberal Democratic Party, which leads a struggling minority government. The gaffe could be further trouble for the party before a national election in July.

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