Japanese opposition parties weigh censure of farm minister Yana over road budget remark

Six opposition parties in Japan's House of Councillors, including the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), the Democratic Party for the People and Komeito, agreed on October 9 to consider submitting a censure motion against Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana (簗和生), Nippon TV News and Jiji Press reported. The Mainichi Shimbun reported that the move concerns Yana's remark that he had cut road budgets for municipalities whose heads did not support him in a House of Representatives election. The Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reported that the parties' upper house Diet affairs chiefs met in the Diet that day and agreed to move toward demanding Yana's resignation, with a censure motion as one option. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 ]

CDP Diet affairs chief Yoshitaka Saito (斎藤嘉隆) conveyed the plan to Yoshihiko Isozaki (磯崎仁彦), the Liberal Democratic Party's upper house Diet affairs chief. Saito said views had been raised that a response holding the minister responsible was needed, and that the opposition would discuss next steps, including a censure motion. According to Nippon TV News, he questioned whether Yana had interfered with the fair distribution of taxes. Isozaki said he would firmly convey the matter to the Prime Minister's Office and that it was necessary to fulfil accountability. [ 4 , 6 ]

Because the ruling side is a minority in the upper house, the motion could pass, the Mainichi Shimbun reported. If it passes, questioning involving the minister in the upper house would become effectively impossible, which could affect whether he stays in office. [ 4 ]

In representative questions on October 8, Prime Minister Takaichi said Yana would remain in his post and that she had sternly cautioned him, Yahoo! News Japan reported. Yana told both chambers: "It was due to my own lack of virtue, and I recognise that it was inappropriate." He had already withdrawn the remark and apologised, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism released findings that there appeared to have been no pressure to reduce the road budget. [ 1 ]

CDP Secretary-General Tanabe said in the upper house on October 8 that using the budget for political retaliation or reward was unacceptable and asked whether withdrawal and apology alone were enough. Japanese Communist Party chair Tamura said the remark was tantamount to intimidating voters. Komeito Secretary-General Makoto Nishida (西田実仁) called the remark intimidation and said Yana should resign if he does not adequately explain, adding that as the person responsible for allocating tax money he must give an explanation. Saito also told Isozaki the CDP would not agree to hear Yana's policy statement in the upper house agriculture committee, and told reporters he wanted Yana to step down early. [ 1 , 8 ]

Shukan Bunshun, released on October 8, reported that free shuttle bus transport for Yana's supporters in past lower house elections may have violated the Public Offices Election Law. Yahoo! News Japan's report noted that Yana had 17.46 million yen unreported in his political funds report in the LDP faction funds issue but was still appointed, and quoted a former cabinet minister in the LDP as saying it was unclear whether he could stay on, depending on public opinion. [ 1 ]