Japan Minister’s Brag About Free Rice Misfires Amid Surging Prices

Japan’s agriculture minister said he’d been inconsiderate after comments about his plentiful supply of free rice struck a nerve with the public, who face soaring prices in stores.

“I’ve never bought rice,” Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Taku Eto was seen saying on stage in footage from a ruling Liberal Democratic Party fundraiser on Sunday. “I have so much in my pantry from my supporters that I could probably sell it.”