Former Prime Minister Taro Aso feels that global warming has increased Japan's rice quality.

During a speech for a Liberal Democratic Party candidate in the Hokkaido city of Otaru on Monday, Aso said that the rice on the island of Hokkaido "has become tastier thanks to (global) warming." Aso further stated that the rice "used to be unsalable," but that "because of greater temperatures," it is now sweeter and even exported.

While many people equate a warmer temperature with bad outcomes, Aso believes that there is "something positive" that can come from it.

This isn't the first time the 81-year-old politician has made controversial comments in front of the public eye.

In January 2020, Aso stated that Japan has been ruled under a single language and ethnic identity for the past 2,000 years, which is a comment that ignored other ethnic minorities in the country.