Japanese minister resigns after saying he doesn’t buy rice because he gets it free

Taku Et's remarks drew fury as cost of rice has nearly doubled in a year amid soaring food prices

Japan's agriculture minister has resigned after saying he never buys rice because he gets it free, a remark that drew public fury in a country facing soaring food prices.

Taku Et's resignation has added to pressure on the prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, whose failure to rein in soaring rice prices and address a wider cost of living crisis has angered voters ahead of upper house elections in July.