Geopolitical and trade tensions fuel discussion of need to diversify
00:19
THE
HEAR
This page is an archive of main headlines from Japan for 21.05.2025.
It displays 38 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.
21.05.2025 ⇢ Day Shinjiro Koizumi Inherits Rice Price Mandate
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Agriculture Minister Taku Eto resigned following his controversial comments about receiving free rice amid soaring consumer prices. Prime Minister Ishiba, whose administration began in October 2024, quickly appointed Shinjiro Koizumi as the new minister with former Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga reportedly influencing this decision.
By mid-morning, Ishiba promised to achieve rice prices of 3000 yen per 5kg, accepting responsibility if prices don't decrease. Koizumi immediately suspended reserve rice bidding processes, declaring he would "focus on rice" and release unlimited quantities from government stockpiles.
This political crisis unfolded against a backdrop of economic troubles, with Japanese bond yields soaring due to faltering investor demand. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts with South Korea continued as Japan announced fast-track entry for South Korean visitors to commemorate their 60th anniversary of normalized relations. Trump's automotive tariffs have begun affecting export prices while Nvidia's CEO criticized US export controls on AI chips.
21.05.2025
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02:18
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba apologizes during a House of Representatives plenary session in Tokyo on May 20, 2025, over farm minister Taku Eto's gaffe on rice.
02:18
05:36
05:36
05:37⇢Agriculture Minister Fired Over Rice Remarks
⌨The newspapers report on a political crisis as Prime Minister Ishiba prepares to dismiss Agriculture Minister Taku Eto over controversial rice remarks (Kyodo News English, Yahoo News Japan). In economic news, investors are reducing dollar assets and looking toward Asia amid concerns about US policy and geopolitical tensions (Nikkei Asia). A headline about Trump administration versus universities suggests conflicts over science and technology funding in the US, with budget cuts affecting 1,400 cases (Nikkei Shimbun). Meanwhile, JR East is implementing its first "time sale" with 60% discounts on Shinkansen tickets (Huffington Post Japan).
06:08
Japan Business Press
06:08
06:08
Yahoo! Japan
06:08
06:16
New tech pits old lawyers against young ones and established firms vs. independents
06:16
07:14
07:14
07:39
The Japan Times
07:39
08:12
江藤拓農相は21日、首相官邸で石破茂首相に辞表を提出した。江藤氏は18日に佐賀市での講演で「コメは買ったことがない」などと発言し、批判を招いていた。石破内閣が2024年10月に発足して初めての事実上の閣僚更迭で、夏の参院選を前に政権運営への打撃となる。
江藤氏は18日、佐賀市での講演で「私はコメは買ったことがない。支援者の方々がたくさんコメを下さるので、まさに売るほどある。私の家の食品庫には」と…
08:12
08:12
Yahoo! Japan
08:12
08:20
08:20
08:22⇢Agriculture Minister Resigns Over Rice Gaffe
⌨The newspapers report on Agriculture Minister Taku Eto's resignation following controversial remarks about never buying rice because he receives so much from supporters (The Japan Times, Nikkei Shimbun, Yahoo News Japan, Kyodo News). This represents the first effective cabinet dismissal since Prime Minister Ishiba took office in October 2024 and comes as a blow to the administration ahead of summer Upper House elections. Other headlines discuss AI startups reshaping legal services in South Korea and Japan (Nikkei Asia) and optimal timing for selling condominiums, with 11-15 year-old properties fetching the best prices (Japan Business Press).
08:36
08:36
08:45
08:45
09:02
Yahoo! Japan
09:02
09:18
BREAKING NEWS: Japan PM to appoint Shinjiro Koizumi as farm minister: gov't source
TOKYO - Farm minister Taku Eto resigned on Wednesday after experiencing a backlash over a controversial admission that he does not buy rice because he receives so much of it from supporters, with the comments hitting a nerve as the Japanese public struggles with soaring prices.
09:18
10:42
Yahoo! Japan
10:42
10:43⇢Rice Gaffe Topples Agriculture Minister
⌨The newspapers report on Agriculture Minister Taku Eto's resignation following his controversial comments about receiving so much gifted rice from supporters that he never buys it (Kyodo News English, The Japan Times, Nikkei Shimbun, Yahoo News Japan). Prime Minister Ishiba, who accepted responsibility for the scandal, will appoint Shinjiro Koizumi as the new agriculture minister. The comments sparked public outrage as Japanese consumers struggle with soaring prices. This represents the first ministerial resignation in Ishiba's administration, which began in October 2024.
11:56
Yahoo! Japan
11:56
12:05
Japan's government said Wednesday that it will create fast lanes dedicated to South Korean visitors at two airports in June to expedite the immigration process, as the month marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties.
12:05
12:13
石破茂首相は江藤拓農相を続投させる考えを表明してわずか1日で事実上の更迭へと方針撤回に追い込まれた。野党5党が更迭要求で一致し、交代させなければ法案成立への協力が得られないと判断した。政府・与党は危機管理のため迅速に調整できる体制になく、対応が遅れた。
【関連記事】
首相は20日夜、首相公邸で青木一彦官房副長官や首相秘書官と江藤氏の処遇について協議した。このとき江藤氏を続投させるのは「厳しいだろう…
12:13
12:13
Jensen Huang says 'formidable' Chinese rival Huawei is innovating fast
12:13
13:05
13:05
13:05
13:07⇢Rice Scandal Fallout Rattles Ishiba Administration
⌨The newspapers report on the fallout from Agriculture Minister Taku Eto's resignation, with coverage noting the delayed decision represents a blow to Prime Minister Ishiba's administration (Yahoo News Japan, Nikkei Shimbun). In social issues, same-sex marriage equality continues to be debated, with plaintiffs expressing distress over the government's inaction on recognizing same-sex unions (Huffington Post Japan). Diplomatic relations with South Korea show improvement with Japan implementing fast-track immigration lanes at two airports to mark the 60th anniversary of normalized ties (Kyodo News English). Tech coverage includes Nvidia's CEO criticizing US export controls on AI chips while acknowledging Huawei's rapid innovation (Nikkei Asia).
13:13
13:13
13:30
Yahoo! Japan
13:30
14:46
Yield curve steepens amid fiscal concerns; investors cautious over future auctions
14:46
16:02
Farm minister Taku Eto resigned Wednesday after facing a backlash over a remark that struck a nerve with the public suffering from soaring rice prices, dealing a blow to the already unpopular Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ahead of a parliamentary election.
16:02
16:03⇢Rice Scandal Topples Agriculture Minister
⌨The newspapers report on Agriculture Minister Taku Eto's resignation over controversial comments about receiving gifted rice amid soaring prices (Kyodo News English, The Japan Times, Yahoo News Japan, Nikkei Shimbun). This represents a significant blow to Prime Minister Ishiba's already unpopular administration ahead of parliamentary elections. Meanwhile, Japanese bond markets are experiencing turbulence as yields soar due to faltering investor demand amid fiscal concerns (Nikkei Asia). The delayed decision to remove Eto is being criticized as showing poor coordination within the government (Nikkei Shimbun).
16:11
Yahoo! Japan
16:11
17:01
HuffPost Japan
17:01
17:44
17:44
17:44
Yahoo! Japan
17:44
18:17
18:17
19:33
Yahoo! Japan
19:33
19:34⇢Koizumi Takes Agriculture Reins Amid Rice Price Promises
⌨The newspapers report on a cabinet reshuffle following Agriculture Minister Taku Eto's resignation over rice comments. Shinjiro Koizumi takes over as the new Agriculture Minister, with former Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga reportedly influencing this appointment (The Japan Times, Yahoo News Japan). Prime Minister Ishiba has promised to achieve rice prices of 3000 yen per 5kg, accepting responsibility if prices don't decrease (Nikkei Shimbun). A Huffington Post headline suggests controversy over neutrality in a conflict situation, describing some stance as "complicity in massacre rather than neutrality."
20:24
20:24
20:42
Yahoo! Japan
20:42
21:07
Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday sacked farm minister Taku Eto over a controversial remark that sparked public outrage amid soaring rice prices, dealing a fresh blow to the already unpopular minority government leader ahead of a parliamentary election.
21:07
22:32
Yahoo! Japan
22:32
22:34⇢Ishiba Sacks Agriculture Minister Over Rice Gaffe
⌨The newspapers report on the dismissal of Agriculture Minister Taku Eto over controversial rice gift comments amid soaring prices, with Prime Minister Ishiba taking direct action after public outrage (Kyodo News English, Nikkei Shimbun). Shinjiro Koizumi has been appointed as the new Agriculture Minister, stating he wants to "focus on rice" issues (Yahoo News Japan, The Japan Times). Ishiba has directed discretionary contracts for reserve rice supplies and promised to lower prices to the 3000 yen range per 5kg (Nikkei Shimbun), as his unpopular minority government faces pressure ahead of parliamentary elections.
23:15
Yahoo! Japan
23:15
23:57
Yahoo! Japan
23:57