Japan's agriculture minister resigns after his remark about not having to buy rice

Japan's agriculture minister, Taku Eto, resigned after his controversial comment about not needing to buy rice from supporters as gifts, sparking criticism for appearing out of touch amid record-high rice prices. The move comes as the government seeks to stabilize demand and supply amidst economic pressure, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba already facing a tough battle in an upcoming election. Eto has pledged to address the issue and improve food security while striving to resolve Japan's long-standing rice shortages.