TOKYO - JAPAN'S farm minister resigned on Friday amid a food scare involving pesticide-laced rice that caused the recall of thousands of products across the country.

Mr Seiichi Ota submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda in the morning, just days before the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is due to elect a new prime minister who may call snap general elections after taking office.

'In consideration to the large social impact that the tainted rice has had, I have resolved to resign as farm minister,' Mr Ota said at a press conference.

The scandal emerged when Osaka-based company Mikasa Foods earlier this month admitted to selling imported pesticide-tainted rice to snack makers and ordering company employees to go ahead with the sales.

Public anxiety heightened as hundreds of food companies including major breweries were hit by the scandal and the rice was also distributed to hospitals and schools.

Mr Ota, known for his outspoken remarks, had been under fire for comments suggesting that he was reluctant to handle the situation.

The reselling of the tainted rice 'does not have any impact on health. That is why I am not really making a big deal out of it,' he said when the scandal emerged, causing uproar among consumers and lawmakers alike.

Last month he said Japanese consumers were too 'fussy' over food safety.

The products were part of rice imported by the Japanese government from China, Vietnam and other countries under its international commitment to open its rice market.

The rice had been set aside as a problem product after it was found to be contaminated with excessive levels of toxins, or deteriorated with fungi, or affected by other factors in storage.

The government sold it to private dealers on condition it was resold for industrial use, such as making glue, but not for human consumption. -- AFP