A: Hey, did you catch the news about our prime minister?
B: Noo, what's up?

A: Well, it looks like they're planning to replace their agriculture minister. The guy made some controversial comments about rice.
B: Oh no, what did he say?

A: He said he doesn't buy rice because people give him loads of it. And he even said he has so much rice to sell!
B: Whoa, that sounds bad...

A: Yeah, and it's not great timing since prices are high right now. But he did apologize later.
B: I see... So why is he still in his job?

A: Our prime minister reprimanded him but let him stay to try and control the rice prices. He thinks the comments were very wrong though.
B: That doesn't sound good for the guy, does it?

A: Nope! Some big opposition parties are demanding his resignation already. They even said they might submit a no-confidence motion if he doesn't quit.
B: Wow, that could cause some trouble...

A: It sure could! And the funny part is, he's expressed his intention to resign too. Our prime minister will pick his successor soon.
B: Man, that's quite a mess. Hope it gets sorted out quickly!

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru is expected to replace agriculture minister Eto Taku, who has drawn criticism for his controversial remarks about rice.



Eto said in a speech on Sunday that he has never bought rice because his supporters give him a lot. He also said he has enough rice to sell.



The remarks came as people are struggling with soaring prices of the staple grain. Eto later made a retraction.



Ishiba reprimanded him but let him stay in his post to lead the efforts to stabilize rice prices.



Ishiba told the Diet on Tuesday that the comments were extremely inappropriate. He apologized to the public as the person who appointed Eto.



But the leader of the largest opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Noda Yoshihiko, said it is unforgivable for a person in a position of heavy responsibility to make such inappropriate comments. He said Eto has lost people's trust and is unfit for the job.



The CDP and four other opposition parties agreed that they will demand Eto's resignation and if he does not step down, they will consider submitting a no-confidence motion against him.



If submitted, the motion could be passed because the ruling coalition does not have a majority in the Diet.



Eto has expressed his intention to resign to government and ruling coalition officials.



Ishiba is expected to name Eto's successor after he makes a final decision on how to handle the situation on Wednesday.