[Breaking News]Koizumi picked as Japan's new farm minister

OKYO, Japan, May 21 Kyodo - Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025. Koizumi said he was appointed as Japan's new farm minister, after Taku Eto stepped down over his controversial remarks about rice earlier in the day. (Kyodo)

Koizumi picked as Japan's new farm minister

Koizumi picked as Japan's new farm minister

Former Japanese Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025. Koizumi was appointed as the country's new farm minister, after Taku Eto stepped down over his controversial remarks about rice earlier in the day.

Koizumi picked as Japan's new farm minister

Koizumi picked as Japan's new farm minister

Former Japanese Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025. Koizumi was appointed as the country's new farm minister, after Taku Eto stepped down over his controversial remarks about rice earlier in the day.

Koizumi picked as Japan's new farm minister

Koizumi picked as Japan's new farm minister

Former Japanese Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025. Koizumi was appointed as the country's new farm minister, after Taku Eto stepped down over his controversial remarks about rice earlier in the day.

Ex-environment chief Koizumi picked as new farm minister

Ex-environment chief Koizumi picked as new farm minister

Former Japanese Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi gets out of a car as he arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025. Koizumi was appointed as the country's new farm minister, after Taku Eto stepped down over his controversial remarks about rice earlier in the day.

Koizumi picked as Japan's new farm minister

Koizumi picked as Japan's new farm minister

Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025. Koizumi said he was appointed as Japan's new farm minister, after Taku Eto stepped down over his controversial remarks about rice earlier in the day.

Koizumi picked as Japan's new farm minister

Koizumi picked as Japan's new farm minister

Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025. Koizumi said he was appointed as Japan's new farm minister, after Taku Eto stepped down over his controversial remarks about rice earlier in the day.

Koizumi picked as Japan's new farm minister

Koizumi picked as Japan's new farm minister

Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025. Koizumi said he was appointed as Japan's new farm minister, after Taku Eto stepped down over his controversial remarks about rice earlier in the day.

Koizumi picked as Japan's new farm minister

Koizumi picked as Japan's new farm minister

Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025. Koizumi said he was appointed as Japan's new farm minister, after Taku Eto stepped down over his controversial remarks about rice earlier in the day.

Koizumi picked as Japan's new farm minister

Koizumi picked as Japan's new farm minister

Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025. Koizumi said he was appointed as Japan's new farm minister, after Taku Eto stepped down over his controversial remarks about rice earlier in the day.

Okinawa governor gives "kariyushi" shirt to Japan PM Ishiba

Okinawa governor gives "kariyushi" shirt to Japan PM Ishiba

Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki meets the press after giving Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba a formal "kariyushi" Okinawan shirt at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 20, 2025. During the meeting, Ishiba apologized for controversial remarks made by Shoji Nishida, a hawkish lawmaker from Ishiba's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, in which he claimed that exhibits at a war memorial in Okinawa distorted the history of one of the fiercest World War II battles.

Okinawa governor gives "kariyushi" shirt to Japan PM Ishiba

Okinawa governor gives "kariyushi" shirt to Japan PM Ishiba

Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki meets the press after giving Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba a formal "kariyushi" Okinawan shirt at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 20, 2025. During the meeting, Ishiba apologized for controversial remarks made by Shoji Nishida, a hawkish lawmaker from Ishiba's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, in which he claimed that exhibits at a war memorial in Okinawa distorted the history of one of the fiercest World War II battles.

Japan PM Ishiba meets Okinawa governor

Japan PM Ishiba meets Okinawa governor

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (R) speaks with Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 20, 2025, after the governor presented a formal "kariyushi" Okinawan shirt to the premier. During the meeting, Ishiba apologized for controversial remarks made by Shoji Nishida, a hawkish lawmaker from Ishiba's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, in which he claimed that exhibits at a war memorial in Okinawa distorted the history of one of the fiercest World War II battles.

US President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks to the news media during an Ambassador meeting

US President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks to the news media during an Ambassador meeting

US President Donald J. Trump signs executive orders prior to delivering remarks to the news media during an meeting with Ambassador nominees in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA 25 March 2025. The president took questions that largely concentrated on the controversial Signal text string between the President’s national security staff regarding US attacks in Yemen.

US President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks to the news media during an Ambassador meeting

US President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks to the news media during an Ambassador meeting

US President Donald J. Trump signs executive orders prior to delivering remarks to the news media during an meeting with Ambassador nominees in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA 25 March 2025. The president took questions that largely concentrated on the controversial Signal text string between the President’s national security staff regarding US attacks in Yemen.

US President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks to the news media during an Ambassador meeting

US President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks to the news media during an Ambassador meeting

US President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks during a meeting with Ambassador nominees in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA 25 March 2025. The president took questions that largely concentrated on the controversial Signal text string between the President’s national security staff regarding US attacks in Yemen.

US President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks to the news media during an Ambassador meeting

US President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks to the news media during an Ambassador meeting

US President Donald J. Trump, with Ambassador nominees and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz (R), delivers remarks during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA 25 March 2025. The president took questions that largely concentrated on the controversial Signal text string between the President’s national security staff regarding US attacks in Yemen.

US President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks to the news media during an Ambassador meeting

US President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks to the news media during an Ambassador meeting

US President Donald J. Trump signs executive orders prior to delivering remarks to the news media during an meeting with Ambassador nominees in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA 25 March 2025. The president took questions that largely concentrated on the controversial Signal text string between the President’s national security staff regarding US attacks in Yemen.

US President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks to the news media during an Ambassador meeting

US President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks to the news media during an Ambassador meeting

US President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks during a meeting with Ambassador nominees in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA 25 March 2025. The president took questions that largely concentrated on the controversial Signal text string between the President’s national security staff regarding US attacks in Yemen.

Netanyahu Defends Gaza War Before Congress - Washington

Netanyahu Defends Gaza War Before Congress - Washington

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) deliver brief remarks prior to Netanyahu’s controversial address to a joint session of Congress in Washington, DC, USA, July 24, 2024. Millions of Americans object to Israel’s response to the killing of 1200 of its citizens by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Israel’s retaliation has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, injured more than 88,000, and displaced roughly 1.9 million, according to the United Nations. Photo by Allison Bailey/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Netanyahu Defends Gaza War Before Congress - Washington

Netanyahu Defends Gaza War Before Congress - Washington

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) deliver brief remarks prior to Netanyahu’s controversial address to a joint session of Congress in Washington, DC, USA, July 24, 2024. Millions of Americans object to Israel’s response to the killing of 1200 of its citizens by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Israel’s retaliation has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, injured more than 88,000, and displaced roughly 1.9 million, according to the United Nations. Photo by Allison Bailey/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Netanyahu Defends Gaza War Before Congress - Washington

Netanyahu Defends Gaza War Before Congress - Washington

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) deliver brief remarks prior to Netanyahu’s controversial address to a joint session of Congress in Washington, DC, USA, July 24, 2024. Millions of Americans object to Israel’s response to the killing of 1200 of its citizens by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Israel’s retaliation has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, injured more than 88,000, and displaced roughly 1.9 million, according to the United Nations. Photo by Allison Bailey/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Netanyahu Defends Gaza War Before Congress - Washington

Netanyahu Defends Gaza War Before Congress - Washington

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) deliver brief remarks prior to Netanyahu’s controversial address to a joint session of Congress in Washington, DC, USA, July 24, 2024. Millions of Americans object to Israel’s response to the killing of 1200 of its citizens by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Israel’s retaliation has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, injured more than 88,000, and displaced roughly 1.9 million, according to the United Nations. Photo by Allison Bailey/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Netanyahu Defends Gaza War Before Congress - Washington

Netanyahu Defends Gaza War Before Congress - Washington

American and Israeli flags stand behind Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) following brief remarks prior to Netanyahu’s controversial address to a joint session of Congress in Washington, DC, USA, July 24, 2024. Millions of Americans object to Israel’s response to the killing of 1200 of its citizens by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Israel’s retaliation has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, injured more than 88,000, and displaced roughly 1.9 million, according to the United Nations. Photo by Allison Bailey/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Netanyahu Defends Gaza War Before Congress - Washington

Netanyahu Defends Gaza War Before Congress - Washington

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) deliver brief remarks prior to Netanyahu’s controversial address to a joint session of Congress in Washington, DC, USA, July 24, 2024. Millions of Americans object to Israel’s response to the killing of 1200 of its citizens by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Israel’s retaliation has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, injured more than 88,000, and displaced roughly 1.9 million, according to the United Nations. Photo by Allison Bailey/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Netanyahu Defends Gaza War Before Congress - Washington

Netanyahu Defends Gaza War Before Congress - Washington

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) deliver brief remarks prior to Netanyahu’s controversial address to a joint session of Congress in Washington, DC, USA, July 24, 2024. Millions of Americans object to Israel’s response to the killing of 1200 of its citizens by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Israel’s retaliation has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, injured more than 88,000, and displaced roughly 1.9 million, according to the United Nations. Photo by Allison Bailey/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

UN calls for upholding status quo in Jerusalem holy sites

STORY: UN calls for upholding status quo in Jerusalem holy sites DATELINE: Jan. 5, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:51 LOCATION: UN Headquarters CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of press briefing room 2. SOUNDBITE (English): FARHAN HAQ, Deputy spokesperson for UN Secretary-General 3. various of journalists 4. various of Haq at podium STORYLINE: A spokesman for the United Nations on Tuesday underscored the importance of upholding the status quo in the holy sites, in reaction to the controversial visit by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem. Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, made the remarks at a regular press briefing. SOUNDBITE (English): FARHAN HAQ, Deputy spokesperson for UN Secretary-General "What I would like to reiterate is that the Secretary-General has always stressed the importance of upholding the status quo in the holy sites, in line with the special role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jord

Tokyo Olympic chief Mori to resign

Tokyo Olympic chief Mori to resign

TOKYO, Japan, Feb. 11 Kyodo - Tokyo Olympic organizing committee chief Yoshiro Mori (L) and former Japan Football Association President Saburo Kawabuchi are pictured during a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 3, 2020. Mori decided in February 2021 to step down over making controversial remarks blasted both in Japan and abroad as sexist, with Kawabuchi likely to replace him.

Ishihara retracts controversial comments

Ishihara retracts controversial comments

TOKYO, Japan - Environment Minister Nobuteru Ishihara answers a question at an upper house environment committee meeting in Tokyo on June 19, 2014. Ishihara retracted his controversial remarks suggesting payments to local authorities would ultimately settle the issue of where to store nuclear-contaminated soil from crisis-hit Fukushima Prefecture, after opposition parties demanded his resignation.

Obokata rejects most recent doubt

Obokata rejects most recent doubt

OSAKA, Japan - Hideo Miki, lawyer for Haruko Obokata, a researcher with the government-funded Riken institute, meets reporters in Osaka on June 18, 2014. Miki said Obokata, the lead author of two controversial papers on STAP cells, or stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency cells, is eager to prove on her own that her findings are valid, refuting her research collaborator's recent unsupportive remarks.

Obokata rejects most recent doubt

Obokata rejects most recent doubt

OSAKA, Japan - Hideo Miki, lawyer for Haruko Obokata, a researcher with the government-funded Riken institute, meets reporters in Osaka on June 18, 2014. Miki said Obokata, the lead author of two controversial papers on STAP cells, or stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency cells, is eager to prove on her own that her findings are valid, refuting her research collaborator's recent unsupportive remarks.

Aso retracts remark citing Nazis

Aso retracts remark citing Nazis

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who doubles as finance minister, in Tokyo on Aug. 1, 2013. Aso retracted his controversial remarks that could be interpreted as holding up Nazi Germany as an example for Japan to follow in amending its Constitution.

Aso retracts remark citing Nazis

Aso retracts remark citing Nazis

TOKYO, Japan - Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who doubles as finance minister, reads out a comment in Tokyo on Aug. 1, 2013, to retract his controversial remarks that could be interpreted as holding up Nazi Germany as an example for Japan to follow in amending its Constitution.

Protest in Seoul

Protest in Seoul

SEOUL, South Korea - Members of a South Korean rightist group protest against controversial remarks by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto concerning wartime sexual servitude involving Korean women, in front of the official residence of Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Koro Bessho in Seoul on May 21, 2013.

Protest in Seoul

Protest in Seoul

SEOUL, South Korea - Members of a South Korean rightist group protest against controversial remarks by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto concerning wartime sexual servitude involving Korean women, in front of the official residence of Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Koro Bessho in Seoul on May 21, 2013.

Sex slavery row costs Hashimoto electoral cooperation

Sex slavery row costs Hashimoto electoral cooperation

OSAKA, Japan - Japan Restoration Party co-leader Toru Hashimoto, who doubles as Osaka mayor, answers reporters' questions at the Osaka city offices in western Japan on May 21, 2013. The small opposition Your Party decided the same day to cancel planned electoral cooperation with the Japan Restoration Party, following controversial remarks by Hashimoto concerning wartime sexual servitude.

Sex slavery row costs Hashimoto electoral cooperation

Sex slavery row costs Hashimoto electoral cooperation

OSAKA, Japan - Japan Restoration Party co-leader Toru Hashimoto, who doubles as Osaka mayor, listens to a reporter's question at the Osaka city offices in western Japan on May 21, 2013. The small opposition Your Party decided the same day to cancel planned electoral cooperation with the Japan Restoration Party, following controversial remarks by Hashimoto concerning wartime sexual servitude.

Mayor on controversial remarks

Mayor on controversial remarks

OSAKA, Japan - Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto answers reporters' questions at the Osaka city hall in western Japan on May 16, 2013. Hashimoto said he "lacked international awareness" when suggesting U.S. servicemen in Japan use the country's legal adult entertainment industry in order to prevent them from committing sex offenses against locals.

Mayor on controversial remarks

Mayor on controversial remarks

OSAKA, Japan - Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto answers reporters' questions at the Osaka city hall in western Japan on May 16, 2013. Hashimoto said he "lacked international awareness" when suggesting U.S. servicemen in Japan use the country's legal adult entertainment industry in order to prevent them from committing sex offenses against locals.

Mayor on controversial remarks

Mayor on controversial remarks

OSAKA, Japan - Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto answers reporters' questions at the Osaka city hall in western Japan on May 16, 2013. Hashimoto said he "lacked international awareness" when suggesting U.S. servicemen in Japan use the country's legal adult entertainment industry in order to prevent them from committing sex offenses against locals.

Hashimoto's controversial remarks on 'comfort women'

Hashimoto's controversial remarks on 'comfort women'

TOKYO, Japan - Shintaro Ishihara (R) and Takeo Hiranuma, lawmakers from the opposition Japan Restoration Party, attend a plenary session of the House of Representatives in the Diet in Tokyo on May 14, 2013. Ishihara, the former Tokyo governor who co-heads the party with Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, defended the same day Hashimoto's controversial remarks on wartime sexual servitude by women, saying that "Any military is commonly associated with prostitution and that is like a principle of history."

Hashimoto's controversial remarks on 'comfort women'

Hashimoto's controversial remarks on 'comfort women'

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto. Japanese ministers denounced Hashimoto on May 14, 2013, a day after he said sexual servitude by women was "necessary" for Japan's soldiers during World War II to maintain discipline in the military.

JOC Pres. Takeda says "case closed" on Inose

JOC Pres. Takeda says "case closed" on Inose

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda holds a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo on May 10, 2013. Takeda said recent controversial remarks by Tokyo Gov. Naoki Inose will not affect Tokyo's bid to host the 2020 Summer Games, stressing "the case is closed."

Chinese dailies reporting on Ishihara remarks

Chinese dailies reporting on Ishihara remarks

BEIJING, China - Photo shows articles on Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara's controversial remarks that the city is seeking to buy the dominant part of the disputed Senkaku Islands carried by Chinese newspapers dated April 18, 2012.

Kawamura defends Nanjing Massacre remarks

Kawamura defends Nanjing Massacre remarks

NAGOYA, Japan - Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura speaks at a press conference at the city hall on Feb. 27, 2012. Kawamura defended his controversial remarks on Feb. 20 about the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, saying, ''I believe it is not factual that as many as 300,000 unarmed civilians were massacred.''

Hirano to be Japan's new reconstruction minister

Hirano to be Japan's new reconstruction minister

TOKYO, Japan - Tatsuo Hirano, senior vice minister handling reconstruction issues, speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on July 5, 2011. Hirano will replace Ryu Matsumoto as reconstruction minister as Matsumoto stepped down over controversial remarks he made.

Man at evacuation center in Rikuzentakata

Man at evacuation center in Rikuzentakata

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - A man affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami watches a TV program reporting on the resignation of reconstruction minister Ryu Matsumoto at an evacuation center in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on July 5, 2011. Matsumoto stepped down following controversial remarks he made during a visit to Iwate and Miyagi prefectures.

Hatoyama annoyed by U.S. base problem

Hatoyama annoyed by U.S. base problem

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama wraps up a press conference at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 2, 2010. Hatoyama has been annoyed by the foreign minister's controversial remarks on a U.S. base in Okinawa Prefecture.

Senior official retracts remarks over jobless people

Senior official retracts remarks over jobless people

TOKYO, Japan - Parliamentary Secretary for Internal Affairs and Communications Tetsushi Sakamoto retracted his controversial remarks Jan. 6 that cast doubt on whether unemployed people who took shelter in a Tokyo park over the New Year period possess the will to work. Sakamoto, a Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker, apologized at a press conference, saying, ''I have caused trouble to concerned parties.''

Tokyo quake would provide 'chance' to boost economy: Hyogo gov.

Tokyo quake would provide 'chance' to boost economy: Hyogo gov.

KOBE, Japan - Hyogo Gov. Toshizo Ido speaks at a news conference in Kobe on Nov. 11 about his controversial remarks made in Wakayama earlier in the day. During a meeting of governors from the western Japan region, Ido said that a major earthquake in the Tokyo area would provide a ''chance'' to prop up the economy in western Japan including his prefecture.