Japanese agriculture minister to quit over tainted rice scandal
19/9/2008 16:56
Japanese agriculture minister Seiichi Ota said he had offered his
resignation to Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda over the tainted-rice scandal
today.
"I thought I had to make a decision (of resignation) because of what
has turned into a big problem for society," Seiichi Ota told a news
conference.
Vice Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Toshiro
Shirasu has already resigned over the scandal.
Rice traders including
Osaka-based Mikasa Foods purchased imported rice tainted with poisonous mold or
pesticide residue for non-edible use, such as making glue, from the farm
ministry and resold it to other agents for edible use.
The rice had been
distributed to 370 firms by Mikasa company and was found being served to
thousands of people including schoolchildren and the elderly in nursing homes,
sparking public uproar.
According to Japanese media, officials from the
agriculture ministry were found have dined and wined by the company.
Japanese
government has suspended rice imports and announced new rules to stop the sale
of imported rice for industrial use.
Xinhua
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