Ex-defense chief Ishiba vows to tackle food safety as farm minister

Wednesday 24th September, 11:47 PM JST

TOKYO —

Shigeru Ishiba, the defense expert now put in charge of the troubled farm ministry, vowed Wednesday to tackle the daunting task of restoring public trust in the ministry, whose image has been hit by a tainted-rice scandal. ‘‘I humbly accept the criticism directed at the ministry,’’ the 51-year-old farm minister told a news conference. ‘‘The question is whether the ministry has truly been on the side of consumers or on the side of businesses.’‘

Ishiba said he instructed the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to immediately launch an intra-ministry task force which he would lead with a view to changing the ministry’s culture, which is often criticized as favoring the interests of industry rather than those of consumers. ‘‘We should not be afraid to change an organization. Solving this issue will not be possible without satisfying both the people’s understanding and sense of urgency,’’ he said.

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4 Comments

lipscombe at 10:42 AM JST - 25th September

sure he does, sure he does. he'll resign in 6 months, probably shamed in a scandal himself
hoserfella at 01:06 PM JST - 25th September

From ministry of Defence to farm ministry. makes sense to me...
Altria at 01:12 PM JST - 25th September

As long as his farming buddies don't run over any innocent people with a harvester, he's doing a better job than when he was Defence Minister.
medievaltimes at 03:25 PM JST - 25th September

Lip service...which the public will accept.