A: Hey, buddy! Heard any juicy news lately?

B: Not really, what's up?

A: Well, our PM, Ishiba Shigeru, just appointed Koizumi Shinjiro as the new agriculture minister.

B: Whoa, really? What for?

A: He wants him to deal with rising rice prices, 'cause they're still high! Apparently, he thinks Koizumi can handle it since he has experience and passion for reforms in agriculture.

B: That sounds tough, but if anyone can do it, it's Koizumi! But why is the price of rice so high?

A: Ishiba said there might be some structural issues that we don't know about. He also mentioned that despite releasing stockpiles, prices haven't dropped yet.

B: That's quite a challenge! What does Koizumi need to do exactly?

A: He needs to work hard to ensure a stable supply of rice and find solutions as soon as possible. The PM said it's important to address the issue among consumers quickly.

B: Wow, that guy has some responsibility on his shoulders now! This all happened because the previous agriculture minister, Eto Taku, resigned after making a controversial remark.

A: Yeah, I heard about that. Guess we'll see how Koizumi does in this new role!
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Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has asked the new agriculture minister, Koizumi Shinjiro, to make efforts to stabilize rice prices.



Ishiba met with Koizumi, the former chairperson of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Election Strategy Committee, at the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday. The prime minister conveyed his intention to appoint him agriculture minister.



Afterward, Ishiba told reporters that he instructed Koizumi to work hard to ensure a supply of rice at stable prices, as prices remain high.



He said the agriculture, forestry and fisheries administration faces a number of issues, including high rice prices. He said he wants Koizumi to do his utmost to resolve the issues, using his strong leadership and experiences.



Ishiba cited Koizumi's experience, knowledge and passion for reforms in agriculture and fisheries as reasons for appointing him to the post. The prime minister noted that Koizumi served as director of the party's agriculture and forestry division and chairperson of the research commission on fishery policies.



Ishiba also said that though the government has already released amounts from its stockpile, rice prices have not dropped, and there may be structural factors why that hasn't happened.



He said finding a solution is not easy, and it is important to address the difficult situation among consumers as soon as possible and pursue changes in the rice policy.



This development comes after Eto Taku submitted his resignation as agriculture minister after making a controversial remark.