May 22, 2025

Akahata ‘Window’ column

Minister of Agriculture Eto Taku was forced to resign after stating, “I have never bought rice myself because my supporters give me rice,” at a political fundraiser hosted by a local chapter of the Liberal Democratic Party on May 18 in Saga City (Saga Pref.). The following day, he added that his wife actually goes to buy rice.

This could be seen as an excuse that he did not know that his wife buys rice, but was a clear manifestation of his insensitivity to gender roles. His statement was a typical example of gender inequality - men work and women take care of the home.

In his “excuse,” he also said, “I was scolded by my wife over the phone.” Under prewar patriarchy in Japan, wives were dominated by their husbands, the family heads. Many wives were unable to express their opinions or criticisms to their husbands. Eto may have intended to demonstrate that he is willing to accept criticism from his wife and is not caught up in the old-fashioned family hierarchy.

In 2021, LDP heavyweight Mori Yoshiro, former president of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee, in response to his sexist comments, said, “My wife gave me a thorough scolding.”

It seems that Eto has inherited the male-dominated mindset of the LDP.

Past related article:
> Tokyo Games’ head Mori looks down on women [February 6, 2021]