Japan farm minister apologizes for budget remark, says he will not resign
In short
Japan's agriculture minister, Yana Kazuo, acknowledged that he said he had sharply cut state funding for local governments in his district that did not back him in the lower house election, and apologized. He said on 5 October that he withdraws the remark and apologizes, while indicating he does not intend to step down, saying the prime minister told him to carry out his duties. Opposition parties demanded an investigation and his resignation, and the LDP secretary-general said the remark is hard for the public to accept.
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Japan's agriculture, forestry and fisheries minister, Yana Kazuo, apologized after acknowledging that he said he had sharply cut state funding for local governments in his district that did not support him, Yonhap and Newsis reported. Newsis, citing TV Asahi and other local media, said Yana told parliament on 5 October that he withdraws the remark and apologizes. Yonhap reported that he also apologized to reporters after an upper house plenary session that day, saying the remark was extremely inappropriate and that he was deeply reflecting on what he called his own lack of virtue. [ 1 , 2 ]
According to Yonhap, citing NHK and other Japanese media, the remark dates to May, before Yana joined the cabinet in a September reshuffle. He was reported to have said that the heads of Nasukarasuyama city and Nakagawa town in his home district of Tochigi prefecture did not support him, and that road budget allocations were sharply cut. The report said the episode raised questions about whether he acted as if a lawmaker could distribute district budget allocations at will. [ 1 ]
Yana first declined to answer questions about his activity as a lawmaker before becoming minister, Yonhap reported. On 2 October he said the remark was one that could cause misunderstanding, while stating that he had not asked the land and transport ministry, which handles roads, to cut the budget. Newsis reported that he later said in parliament that he withdraws the remark and apologizes. [ 1 , 2 ]
Criticism came from opposition parties and from within the ruling camp. Tamaki Yuichiro, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, asked Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to conduct an investigation covering all ministries, saying the issue was whether budget allocations that require objectivity and neutrality were being distorted by political intervention or pressure. Mizuoka Shunichi of the Constitutional Democratic Party said using the budget as a hostage to expand local influence is unacceptable for a politician, and Ogawa Junya of the Reform Coalition said Yana is not qualified to serve as minister and should resign or be dismissed. Liberal Democratic Party secretary-general Suzuki Shunichi said the remark is hard to win public understanding and that Yana must fulfill his responsibility to explain, but on the question of his position said only that it is a matter for the prime minister's power to appoint cabinet members. [ 1 ]
Despite repeated explanations, Yana did not state an intention to resign, Yonhap reported. Asked about his position, he said the prime minister had instructed him to carry out his duties for the promotion of agriculture, forestry and fisheries administration, and that he would carry out his responsibilities with their weight in mind. Newsis reported that he refuses to step down. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The case puts the focus on how budget allocations are decided and on the accountability of a minister who took office in a September cabinet reshuffle. Because the remark touches on a ruling-party lawmaker's influence over spending in his own district, opposition parties have used it to press Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's government, while the prime minister's appointment powers mean the resignation decision rests with her.
Key facts
- Agriculture minister Yana Kazuo acknowledged saying he sharply cut state road budget allocations for local governments in his district that did not support him. [ 1 ]
- NHK and other Japanese media reported the remark was made in May, before he joined the cabinet, about Nasukarasuyama city and Nakagawa town in Tochigi prefecture. [ 1 ]
- Yana said on 2 October that it was a remark that could cause misunderstanding, and stated he had not asked the transport ministry to cut budget allocations. [ 1 ]
- He apologized on 5 October after an upper house plenary session, saying he was deeply reflecting, and said in parliament that he withdraws the remark and apologizes. [ 1 , 2 ]
- He did not state an intention to resign and said the prime minister had instructed him to fulfill his duties as agriculture and fisheries minister. [ 1 ]
- Newsis reported, citing TV Asahi and other local media, that he refuses to step down. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether Yana requested budget cuts from the transport ministry. He denied making such a request, according to Yonhap; no other document addresses the point, so it rests on his own statement.
- Whether he will resign or be dismissed. He indicated he would stay on, citing the prime minister's instruction; Newsis reported he refuses to step down, but no document states a decision by the prime minister.
- The actual size or effect of any budget reduction for the two local governments. The documents describe the remark as about a sharp cut but give no figure or confirmation from the affected municipalities.
- Reaction from the local governments concerned. Neither document quotes Nasukarasuyama city or Nakagawa town officials.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yana says the remark was one that could cause misunderstanding and denies requesting budget cuts from the transport ministry. [ 1 ]
- After an upper house plenary session Yana apologizes, saying he is deeply reflecting; in parliament he says he withdraws the remark and apologizes. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Yonhap publishes its report, including opposition and ruling-party reactions. [ 1 ]
- Newsis publishes its report, saying he refuses to resign. [ 2 ]