Key Facts
• On August 26, 2025, the LDP announced Eto Taku as head of the new “Agricultural Structural Transformation Promotion Committee.”
• The committee was formed in response to the “Reiwa Rice Crisis,” which saw soaring rice prices.
• Eto Taku, a senior LDP member, was dismissed as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in May 2025 after controversial remarks about never buying rice.
• Eto previously caused confusion by implementing competitive bidding for releasing reserve rice stocks.
• Public backlash includes criticism on social media, with posts like “Farmers and consumers are being mocked.”
• The appointment is seen as a countermeasure to Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s unilateral decisions, such as lowering rice prices through discretionary contracts.
• LDP faced losses in rice-producing regions during the July 2025 Upper House elections, prompting concerns over losing voter support.
• The new organization aims to regain control from Koizumi and address agricultural policy challenges.
• The committee is set to begin operations by the end of August 2025.
Summary
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has appointed Eto Taku as the head of its newly established “Agricultural Structural Transformation Promotion Committee,” sparking public criticism. The committee was created to address issues stemming from the “Reiwa Rice Crisis” and to counteract Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s independent policy decisions, which have caused unrest among farmers and voters. Eto’s controversial past, including his dismissal as Minister of Agriculture and his handling of rice stock releases, has raised questions about his suitability for the role. The LDP aims to regain voter trust in rice-producing regions, where it faced significant losses in the July 2025 elections. The committee is expected to start operations by the end of August 2025.
