Farm minister Seiichi Ota resigned Friday to take responsibility for the tainted rice scandal.
"The tainted rice scandal has developed into a huge social problem, and I have determined that I need to clarify the responsibility of the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry," Ota told a news conference.
Ota's announcement followed his controversial remarks last week, when he said that he did not intend to "wriggle and raise a rumpus" over the sale of tainted rice for edible use.