Seiichi Ota, Japan's agriculture minister, resigned on Friday over the sale of tainted Chinese rice to foodmakers, restaurants and hospitals.

The resignation of Mr Ota, whose deputy also quit, followed growing public anger over revelations that imported rice, contaminated with pesticide and mould and intended for glue-making, had been sold for human consumption.

Mr Ota's resignation came just ahead of a vote set for Monday for the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic party, which is expected to be followed by a general election next month. Mr Ota will be replaced by Nobutaka Machimura, the chief cabinet secretary.

The contaminated rice, which was imported from China, was part of 770,000 tonnes that Japan imports annually.