Scandal-hit agriculture minister Yana announces resignation
Yana denied wrongdoing, but his exit leaves Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi without a key ally as lawmakers debate a contested tax cut bill.
- Japanese Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana announced his resignation Wednesday evening, becoming the first minister to step down in Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's year-old government following electoral law scandals.
- Allegations surfaced that Yana threatened to cut roadworks funding for Tochigi Prefecture towns opposing him in the February Lower House election, and that he arranged free transportation to a rally in what media suggested was a vote-buying move.
- The resignation complicates parliamentary debate on a controversial bill to reduce food consumption taxes from 8% to 1% next April for two years, while NHK polling shows Takaichi maintains 51% public support despite the turmoil.
- Addressing parliament Wednesday, Takaichi stated, "I myself cannot say with certainty at this point that it was illegal," but pledged swift personnel action if unlawfulness is confirmed.
- While other Cabinet members like Economic Security Minister Kimi Onoda and Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama have faced tabloid allegations of rule circumvention, observers debate whether Yana's exit signals broader administration failure or a rogue case handled swiftly.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Japan's Farm Minister Yana tenders resignation amid scandals
TOKYO: Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Kazuo Yana tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Wednesday (Oct 14) to take responsibility for a series of scandals, including one about his remarks suggesting he had "cut" road budgets for municipalities whose leaders did not support him in the latest House of Representatives election.
Japan ' s Minister of Agriculture, Kazuo Yana, reported that he had resigned following allegations of possible buying of votes and cutting travel funding for districts that did not support him in the February elections of the Prime Minister ' s Government of Sana ' e Takaiti; Japan ' s Minister of Agriculture, Kazuo Jan, filed a resignation on Wednesday against charges of possible bribery of voters and abuse of budget, making…
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