Japanese politician Taro Aso says climate change has contributed "some good things," like improved rice quality

Long-time Japanese politician and former prime minister Taro Aso said he believes that climate change has contributed "some good things" to Japan, such as "improved quality of rice." The comments have been widely criticized both internationally and within Japan. 

Aso has a long history of making controversial remarks. In 2017 he that "Hitler, who killed millions of people, is no good even if his motive was right."

In 2020 Aso claimed that Japan has been ruled under one ethnic group and language for 2,000 years, attempting to erase Japan's many ethnic minorities. He also blamed childless people for Japan's declining population and rising social security costs.