Reader’s Question:
Since Shinjiro Koizumi resigned, it feels like measures regarding rice have suddenly accelerated. Was the previous minister really doing nothing? They claimed to be “thinking about rice every day” and “discussing it daily,” but perhaps that was just an excuse.
Rice Topics and Political Background
Recently, while watching political news, I’ve had some thoughts. It seems that since Shinjiro
Koizumi’s resignation, actions concerning rice have progressed quite rapidly, which has surprised me a bit. I began to wonder if the previous minister’s claims of “thinking about rice every day” and “discussing it daily” were genuinely true.
What Does a Minister’s Job Entail?
When I discussed this with a friend, he made a memorable point: “Wasn’t the previous minister also working hard to secure the interests of JA (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives)?” It’s true that what benefits JA can be advantageous for a politician’s election prospects. He seemed proud of having secured stockpiled rice at high prices, but I wonder if that really serves the public’s best interests. I’ve also been concerned about the rising prices of rice, wishing for a solution. I want my child to enjoy delicious meals, and the necessity of rice across generations remains unchanged. This makes me wish for greater transparency about what priorities are being set.
Little Discoveries in Daily Life
Recently, I’ve become quite fond of cooking rice with my son, and I have a funny little story. While washing the rice as usual, my son asked, “Why is rice white?” I casually replied, “It’s white because we washed it.” He then asked earnestly, “So what happens if we don’t wash it?” I couldn’t help but laugh, but it made me realize that opportunities to think about rice become less frequent as we grow older.
To Our Readers
Through these discussions, I hope our thoughts about rice and politics can deepen. If you also have little discoveries or amusing episodes in your daily life, please share them in the comments! Let’s think about these things together.
