Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

Taku Yamamoto (front), a former House of Representatives lawmaker, heads to a conferment ceremony to receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 11, 2025. The honoree, whose real surname is Takaichi, is the husband of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

Taku Yamamoto (3rd from L), a former House of Representatives lawmaker, is conferred the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from Japan's Emperor Naruhito during a ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 11, 2025. The honoree, whose real surname is Takaichi, is the husband of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from L). (Pool photo)

Major Japanese daily makes false report

Major Japanese daily makes false report

Photo taken Aug. 28, 2025, shows the previous day's edition (R) of major Japanese daily the Yomiuri Shimbun carrying a front-page story reporting that prosecutors were investigating a secretary of Taku Ikeshita, a House of Representatives member from the opposition Japan Innovation Party, along with an "apology and correction" notice about the report in the Aug. 28 edition. In fact, the prosecutors searched the office of House of Councillors lawmaker Akira Ishii from the same party, not Ikeshita.

Major Japanese daily makes false report

Major Japanese daily makes false report

Photo taken Aug. 28, 2025, shows the previous day's edition (R) of major Japanese daily the Yomiuri Shimbun carrying a front-page story reporting that prosecutors were investigating a secretary of Taku Ikeshita, a House of Representatives member from the opposition Japan Innovation Party, along with an "apology and correction" notice about the report in the Aug. 28 edition. In fact, the prosecutors searched the office of House of Councillors lawmaker Akira Ishii from the same party, not Ikeshita.

Major Japanese daily makes false report

Major Japanese daily makes false report

Photo taken Aug. 28, 2025, shows the previous day's edition (R) of major Japanese daily the Yomiuri Shimbun carrying a front-page story reporting that prosecutors were investigating a secretary of Taku Ikeshita, a House of Representatives member from the opposition Japan Innovation Party, along with an "apology and correction" notice about the report in the Aug. 28 edition. In fact, the prosecutors searched the office of House of Councillors lawmaker Akira Ishii from the same party, not Ikeshita.

[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.

Japan main opposition party head Noda

Japan main opposition party head Noda

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to reporters in Tokyo on May 21, 2025, about Taku Eto's resignation as farm minister over comments he made on rice that were deemed insensitive to consumers as they struggle with soaring prices of the staple food.

Japan PM Ishiba on farm minister's resignation

Japan PM Ishiba on farm minister's resignation

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters at the premier's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025, about Taku Eto's resignation as farm minister over his comments on rice deemed insensitive to consumers struggling with soaring prices of the staple food.

Japan PM Ishiba on farm minister's resignation

Japan PM Ishiba on farm minister's resignation

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters at the premier's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025, about Taku Eto's resignation as farm minister over his comments on rice deemed insensitive to consumers struggling with soaring prices of the staple food.

Japan farm minister resigns over controversial rice comments

Japan farm minister resigns over controversial rice comments

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto enters Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025, to tender his resignation to the premier. Eto resigned as farm minister after coming under fire for his comments on rice deemed insensitive to consumers struggling with soaring prices of the staple food.

Japan farm minister resigns over controversial rice comments

Japan farm minister resigns over controversial rice comments

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto enters Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025, to tender his resignation to the premier. Eto resigned as farm minister after coming under fire for his comments on rice deemed insensitive to consumers struggling with soaring prices of the staple food.

Japan farm minister resigns over controversial rice comments

Japan farm minister resigns over controversial rice comments

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto enters Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025, to tender his resignation to the premier. Eto resigned as farm minister after coming under fire for his comments on rice deemed insensitive to consumers struggling with soaring prices of the staple food.

Japan farm minister resigns over controversial rice comments

Japan farm minister resigns over controversial rice comments

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto (C) enters Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025, to tender his resignation to the premier. Eto resigned as farm minister after coming under fire for his comments on rice deemed insensitive to consumers struggling with soaring prices of the staple food.

Farm minister Eto resigns over rice comments

Farm minister Eto resigns over rice comments

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025, after offering his resignation to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba over his comments on rice gifts. Eto said during a fundraising party earlier that he does not need to buy rice as his supporters give him plenty, angering consumers amid a rice shortage and surging prices.

Farm minister Eto resigns over rice comments

Farm minister Eto resigns over rice comments

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025, after offering his resignation to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba over his comments on rice gifts. Eto said during a fundraising party earlier that he does not need to buy rice as his supporters give him plenty, angering consumers amid a rice shortage and surging prices.

Japan PM Ishiba at parliament

Japan PM Ishiba at parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a House of Representatives plenary session in Tokyo on May 20, 2025, over farm minister Taku Eto's gaffe on rice.

Japan PM Ishiba at parliament

Japan PM Ishiba at parliament

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.

Japan PM Ishiba at parliament

Japan PM Ishiba at parliament

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.

Farm minister hold press confab on rice comments

Farm minister hold press confab on rice comments

Agriculture minister Taku Eto holds a press conference at his ministry on May 20, 2025, to apologize for his controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. Eto said in a speech two days earlier that he does not need to buy rice because his supporters provide him with plenty, amid a rice shortage and surging prices in the country.

Farm minister hold press confab on rice comments

Farm minister hold press confab on rice comments

Agriculture minister Taku Eto holds a press conference at his ministry on May 20, 2025, to apologize for his controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. Eto said in a speech two days earlier that he does not need to buy rice because his supporters provide him with plenty, amid a rice shortage and surging prices in the country.

Prime Minister Ishiba meets media

Prime Minister Ishiba meets media

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba tells the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on May 20, 2025, that he will retain agriculture minister Taku Eto despite his controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. Eto said in a speech two days earlier that he does not need to buy rice because his supporters provide him with plenty, amid a rice shortage and surging prices in the country.

Prime Minister Ishiba meets media

Prime Minister Ishiba meets media

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba tells the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on May 20, 2025, that he will retain agriculture minister Taku Eto despite his controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. Eto said in a speech two days earlier that he does not need to buy rice because his supporters provide him with plenty, amid a rice shortage and surging prices in the country.

Japan farm minister's controversial comments on rice

Japan farm minister's controversial comments on rice

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on May 19, 2025, following a meeting with agriculture minister Taku Eto over controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. Eto said in a speech the previous day that he does not need to buy rice because his supporters provide him with plenty, amid a rice shortage and surging prices in the country.

Japan farm minister's controversial comments on rice

Japan farm minister's controversial comments on rice

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on May 19, 2025, following a meeting with agriculture minister Taku Eto over controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. Eto said in a speech the previous day that he does not need to buy rice because his supporters provide him with plenty, amid a rice shortage and surging prices in the country.

Japan farm minister meets media after rice comments

Japan farm minister meets media after rice comments

Japanese agriculture minister Taku Eto meets the press in Tokyo on May 19, 2025, following a meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba over his controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. Eto said in a speech the previous day that he does not need to buy rice because his supporters provide him with plenty, amid a rice shortage and surging prices in the country.

Japan farm minister meets media after rice comments

Japan farm minister meets media after rice comments

Japanese agriculture minister Taku Eto meets the press in Tokyo on May 19, 2025, following a meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba over his controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. Eto said in a speech the previous day that he does not need to buy rice because his supporters provide him with plenty, amid a rice shortage and surging prices in the country.

Japan farm minister meets media after rice comments

Japan farm minister meets media after rice comments

Japanese agriculture minister Taku Eto meets the press in Tokyo on May 19, 2025, following a meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba over his controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. Eto said in a speech the previous day that he does not need to buy rice because his supporters provide him with plenty, amid a rice shortage and surging prices in the country.

Japan farm minister meets media on rice comment

Japan farm minister meets media on rice comment

Japanese agriculture minister Taku Eto meets the press in Tokyo on May 19, 2025, following his controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. During a speech the previous day, Eto said he has not needed to buy rice because supporters give it to him, a remark expected to draw criticism from households hit by rice shortages and surging prices.

Japan farm minister meets media on rice comment

Japan farm minister meets media on rice comment

Japanese agriculture minister Taku Eto meets the press in Tokyo on May 19, 2025, following his controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. During a speech the previous day, Eto said he has not needed to buy rice because supporters give it to him, a remark expected to draw criticism from households hit by rice shortages and surging prices.

Japan farm minister Eto in Jakarta

Japan farm minister Eto in Jakarta

Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Taku Eto speaks at a press conference in Jakarta on April 29, 2025.

Japanese farm minister speaks on release of stockpiled rice

Japanese farm minister speaks on release of stockpiled rice

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 9, 2025, following a meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Eto told reporters that the government will release additional stockpiled rice every month until the end of July to stabilize soaring prices.

Japanese farm minister speaks on release of stockpiled rice

Japanese farm minister speaks on release of stockpiled rice

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 9, 2025, following a meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Eto told reporters that the government will release additional stockpiled rice every month until the end of July to stabilize soaring prices.

Japanese farm minister Eto

Japanese farm minister Eto

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto speaks to reporters following a Cabinet meeting in Tokyo on March 18, 2025.

Japanese farm minister Eto

Japanese farm minister Eto

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto speaks to reporters following a Cabinet meeting in Tokyo on March 18, 2025.

Japan's new farm minister Eto

Japan's new farm minister Eto

New Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Taku Eto speaks at a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Nov. 12, 2024.

Japan's new farm minister Eto

Japan's new farm minister Eto

New Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Taku Eto speaks at a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Nov. 12, 2024.

Japan's new farm minister Eto

Japan's new farm minister Eto

New Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Taku Eto speaks at a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Nov. 12, 2024.

Lineup of Japan PM Ishiba's second Cabinet

Lineup of Japan PM Ishiba's second Cabinet

Taku Eto, who is set to become farm minister in the second Cabinet of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, arrives at the premier's office in Tokyo on Nov. 11, 2024, before his attestation in a ceremony at the Imperial Palace.

Japanese Princess Kako in Saga

Japanese Princess Kako in Saga

Japanese Princess Kako arrives at the venue of a sport climbing event at the National Sports Festival in the southwestern Japan city of Taku in Saga Prefecture on Oct. 14, 2024.

Japanese Princess Kako in Saga

Japanese Princess Kako in Saga

Japanese Princess Kako arrives at the venue of a sport climbing event at the National Sports Festival in the southwestern Japan city of Taku in Saga Prefecture on Oct. 14, 2024.

Japanese Princess Kako in Saga

Japanese Princess Kako in Saga

Japanese Princess Kako arrives at the venue of a sport climbing event at the National Sports Festival in the southwestern Japan city of Taku in Saga Prefecture on Oct. 14, 2024.