• Japan's agriculture minister resigned following controversial comments amid a national rice shortage.
• The price of rice has more than doubled, leading to consumer frustration and panic buying.
• New Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi tasked with addressing rice supply challenges.
• Government measures to release emergency rice supplies have been slow and ineffective.
• Consumers express urgent concerns over food affordability and availability as elections approach.

Japan's agriculture minister Taku Eto announced his resignation after facing backlash for claiming he had "never had to buy rice" due to receiving it as gifts from supporters. The remark, perceived as disconnected from the realities of citizens grappling with soaring rice prices amid a national shortage, prompted significant public outrage and calls for political accountability, particularly as the country prepares for a national election in July, according to Indiatimes, BBC, LA Times, Indiatimes, and South China Morning Post.

The rice crisis in Japan has caused consumer prices to double in the past year, aggravating public concern as shelves have reportedly emptied since last summer. Panic buying was fueled by warnings about a potential "megaquake," leading to an unprecedented spike in rice demand. The top "Koshihikari" brand is currently priced at nearly $35 for 11 pounds, as stock levels plummeted to a record low of 1.53 million tons, which is significantly short of last year's figures. Consequently, the new agriculture minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, who succeeded Eto, faces immense pressure to resolve the situation, according to BBC, LA Times, and South China Morning Post.

Despite government efforts to manage the crisis by releasing emergency rice stocks, only a fraction has reached supermarkets, fueling public frustration. Reports indicate that only about 10% of the released rice is currently available, raising questions about the effectiveness of these government interventions and the integrity of supply chain management. Experts attribute the shortage to structural issues in rice policies and unforeseen spikes in demand, exacerbated by rising costs in other staple foods like wheat and noodles due to geopolitical factors, according to LA Times, Indiatimes, and South China Morning Post.

As rice prices continue to rise, major retailers, including Aeon Co., are seeking alternatives by planning to sell imported rice, such as U.S.-grown Japonica “Calrose,” to meet consumer demand. However, this strategy is fraught with challenges, as Japanese shoppers typically prefer local varieties, and retailers express concern over whether people may shift away from rice altogether due to affordability issues. This situation, coupled with the pressures of an aging farming population, raises serious questions about the future sustainability of rice agriculture in Japan, as the average age of farmers approaches 70, according to BBC, Indiatimes, and South China Morning Post.