Japan's farm minister faces renewed scrutiny over budget-cut remarks
In short
Opposition lawmakers are expected to continue questioning Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana (簗和生) on October 14 over remarks about cutting local road budgets and an issue involving free shuttle buses. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she would consider his position and would not hesitate if illegality were established, according to Asahi Shimbun.
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Opposition lawmakers are expected to pursue Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana (簗和生) again on October 14 over comments about cutting road budgets and questions involving free shuttle buses, TBS NEWS DIG reported. The House of Representatives budget committee opened its deliberations on October 13. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she would consider whether Yana should remain in office and would not hesitate if illegality were established, according to Asahi Shimbun. [ 4 , 6 , 8 ]
The controversy concerns Yana's remarks that he had cut road budgets for municipalities whose leaders did not support him in a House of Representatives election. Yana denied asking for budget reductions and said he had withdrawn and apologized for comments suggesting he had influenced them. He said his inquiries to the transport ministry followed questions from local residents and were not made with a particular intent. The ministry also said he had not applied pressure or sought budget cuts, Nippon TV reported. [ 4 , 6 ]
Yana also faced questions about a magazine report suggesting that free shuttle buses used by his campaign for supporters could violate the Public Offices Election Act. He said attendees were directed to temporary parking and transported by shuttle bus. He described the service as essential to operating the venue and denied providing benefits or donations. Takaichi said Yana denied illegality and should be given further opportunity to explain. [ 4 , 6 ]
Criticism came from Yana's own Liberal Democratic Party as well as opposition lawmakers. Yana said he canceled a visit to people working in agriculture who were affected by heavy rain in Chiba to prioritize preparation for parliamentary questioning. Takaichi apologized over the canceled visit and said she had asked him to organize his account and explain it to her and parliament. She also said she had chosen him for his policy capabilities and wanted him to demonstrate those abilities. [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Why it matters
Takaichi linked possible action against the minister to whether a legal problem is confirmed, while calling for further explanation. Yana said he canceled a visit to flood-affected people working in agriculture in Chiba to prepare for parliamentary questioning.
Key facts
- House of Representatives budget committee questioning began on October 13 with Takaichi and all cabinet ministers attending. [ 2 ]
- Yana faced criticism over budget-cut remarks from lawmakers in his own Liberal Democratic Party as well as the opposition. [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Yana denied requesting budget reductions and withdrew and apologized for remarks suggesting he had influenced them. [ 6 ]
- Takaichi said she would not hesitate if illegality were established. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the shuttle-bus arrangements violated election law remains unresolved in the supplied reports. A magazine report raised suspicions, Yana denied providing benefits or donations, and Takaichi said she wanted further explanation.
- Yana's future in office has not been decided in the supplied reports. Takaichi said she would consider his position and linked possible action to a finding of illegality.