Ishin leader Yoshimura calls farm minister Yana's road budget remark 'inappropriate'
In short
Hirofumi Yoshimura, leader of the Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai), on October 9 criticised Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana (簗和生) over his remark about cutting road budgets, calling it "clearly inappropriate" in comments to reporters at the Osaka prefectural government office. Asked whether he supported Yana staying in office, Yoshimura said he was not saying he supported it, but that Yana had to explain himself thoroughly, adding that the explanation so far was not one the public could accept.
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Hirofumi Yoshimura, leader of the Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai), on October 9 criticised Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana (簗和生) over his remark about cutting road budgets, Tokyo Shimbun and Nikkei reported. Speaking to reporters at the Osaka prefectural government office, Yoshimura said the remark was "clearly inappropriate". Tokyo Shimbun said the remark concerned cutting road budgets for local governments and quoted Yoshimura as adding that it was "also a statement and conduct directly related to power". [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Asked whether he could support Yana remaining in his post, Yoshimura said, according to Tokyo Shimbun, that he was not saying he supported it, but that Yana had to give a careful and thorough explanation. Nikkei reported that the question concerned Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's denial that Yana would be dismissed, and quoted Yoshimura giving the same answer. [ 2 , 3 ]
Yoshimura also stressed that Yana's explanation was not one the public could accept, Tokyo Shimbun reported. Nikkei quoted him as saying the explanation had not become something many citizens could accept and said he demanded that Yana explain himself fully. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The remarks come as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has denied that Yana will be dismissed, according to Nikkei, so criticism from an opposition party leader adds pressure on the minister to explain himself. The documents do not say what further steps, if any, are expected.
Key facts
- Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura criticised Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana on October 9 over his remark about cutting road budgets, Tokyo Shimbun and Nikkei reported. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Yoshimura called the remark "clearly inappropriate", speaking to reporters at the Osaka prefectural government office. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Tokyo Shimbun said Yana's remark concerned cutting road budgets for local governments. [ 2 ]
- Tokyo Shimbun quoted Yoshimura as saying the remark was "also a statement and conduct directly related to power". [ 2 ]
- Asked whether he could support Yana staying in his post, Yoshimura said he was not saying he supported it, but that Yana had to give a careful and thorough explanation. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Yoshimura said Yana's explanation was not one that the public could accept and demanded a full explanation, Nikkei reported. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Nikkei reported that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has denied that Yana will be dismissed. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Hirofumi Yoshimura, leader of the Japan Innovation Party, on October 9 called Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana's road budget remark "clearly inappropriate". [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Yoshimura made the comments to reporters at the Osaka prefectural government office. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Yoshimura said he was not saying he supported Yana staying in office, but that Yana had to explain himself thoroughly. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Yoshimura said Yana's explanation was not one the public could accept. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- What exactly Yana said about road budgets. Tokyo Shimbun describes it as a remark about cutting road budgets for local governments; Nikkei refers only to a road budget cut remark; neither document gives the wording.
- Whether Takaichi's position on Yana will change. Only Nikkei reports that the prime minister has denied a dismissal; the documents do not say what happens next.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reports Yoshimura's criticism of Yana as "clearly inappropriate". [ 1 ]
- Tokyo Shimbun reports Yoshimura's remarks to reporters at the Osaka prefectural government office. [ 2 ]
- Nikkei reports Yoshimura saying the public cannot accept Yana's explanation, noting Takaichi has denied a dismissal. [ 3 ]