The media reported a scandal over the words of the Japanese minister about rice

The head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, Taku Eto, apologized for his words about free white rice for his family. This was reported by the Reuters news agency on May 19.

Speaking last weekend at a fundraising event for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the head of the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture jokingly stated that he hardly buys white rice himself because his family is given it in huge quantities. This statement did not arouse support, including from his wife. The latter reproached him for his careless statement against the background of the continuing rise in prices for white rice in Japan. The wife called her husband's words "inappropriate."

Answering questions from reporters on Monday, May 19, the minister apologized for the comment, saying that he had misspoke and possibly exaggerated to please the crowd.

"I put it wrong. I feel extreme regret," he said.

The minister explained that with such a statement he wanted to encourage ordinary citizens to buy more brown rice. However, the public misunderstood his words. He stressed that he regularly goes shopping, including for white rice. The minister specified that his family does indeed receive the latest product from friends periodically. However, this fact does not negate the need to make purchases on your own when required.

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Earlier, on April 19, the Japanese government plans to offer the United States to increase imports of American rice and soybeans as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the United States. According to the newspaper, earlier this week, during discussions, Washington criticized Tokyo's export restrictions and its rice distribution system. In addition, the United States called on the Japanese side to increase imports of meat, seafood and potatoes.