Question from a Reader:
Regarding Minister Eto of Agriculture and Forestry, isn’t he supposed to be distributing rice to the public? I have more than enough rice at home, so what’s going on with that?
Minister Eto and the Rice Discussion
Recently, while drinking at an izakaya with friends, the topic of Minister Eto came up. Someone asked whether he was
involved in distributing rice to the public. Hearing that made me chuckle. One friend joked, “I have rice donated by the people at home,” and started talking about the tax rice from the Edo period. It’s amusing to bring up such historical references. When we think about the hardships the common people faced during famines, it seems entirely different from the issues that modern politicians are dealing with. To be honest, I don’t really care how much rice Minister Eto has at his home. Apparently, Minister Eto has recently been dismissed. My friend remarked, “Inherited politicians are pampered and grow up without knowing the reality.” It’s true; sometimes, when I see politicians speak without listening to the people’s voices, I wonder, “What are they really thinking?” Especially as a Minister of Agriculture, it’s concerning how many comments indicate a lack of understanding of the current state of agriculture.
The Reality of Agricultural Economics
Returning to the rice topic, if I have excess rice at home, why isn’t it circulating in the market? My friend shouted, “Sell it!” and he has a point. We need to seriously consider the distribution and pricing of rice, as well as agricultural policies. There are many issues that won’t be solved just by leaving it to agricultural cooperatives. There must be more efficient methods available. While discussing this, my friend brought up the analogy of “not letting a cat manage the bonito flakes.” It’s certainly a lesson in the importance of assigning the right job to the right person. I can’t help but wish that the Minister of Agriculture would move from the side of collecting taxes to being on the side of helping the public.
Conclusion
Political discussions can be challenging, but it’s enjoyable to have casual conversations like this with friends. I hope that by exchanging opinions, we can spark some positive changes. If any readers have thoughts about Minister Eto or agriculture, please share them in the comments. I would be happy if we could deepen our understanding together through these exchanges.
