Japan farm minister Yana apologises at LDP meeting after Muneo Suzuki rebuke
In short
Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana (簗和生) apologised and bowed deeply at a Liberal Democratic Party meeting at party headquarters on the morning of 9 October. House of Councillors member Muneo Suzuki had told him he should have opened his remarks by addressing the uproar over his "budget cut" comments. Yana said the trouble was due to his "lack of virtue" and pledged to fulfil his accountability.
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Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Kazuo Yana (簗和生) was pressed into apologising at a Liberal Democratic Party meeting on the morning of 9 October, Asahi Shimbun and Livedoor News reported. The meeting, of the party's Agricultural Structural Transformation Promotion Committee, was held at LDP headquarters. Livedoor News put its start at 8 a.m. Yana has faced criticism over a "budget cut" remark; Livedoor News described it as a remark that he had "drastically cut" the road budgets of municipalities that did not support him. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
In his opening remarks Yana said that, in establishing food security, he would work to surely win the necessary budget. Livedoor News reported that he made no mention of the allegations against him or the turmoil in the Diet. His remarks ended with applause from LDP lawmakers in the room. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
House of Councillors member Muneo Suzuki then raised his voice. "Minister, I'm saying this out of kindness," he said, adding that Yana should have begun by saying he was sorry for the commotion and would fulfil his accountability. "Before a statement of resolve, your pride as a human being is being questioned," Suzuki said. According to Livedoor News, Suzuki also told moderator Ryosuke Kozuki (上月良祐), a House of Councillors member, that he should have pointed this out, and other lawmakers voiced agreement. Suzuki said that had Yana done this at his doorstep remarks after his policy speech on the 5th, it would have been nothing, calling it a small misstep, the outlet reported. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Yana stood again. "My apologies. I have caused you all trouble and concern in this way. It is due to my lack of virtue, and I sincerely apologise," he said. He pledged to fulfil his accountability so that agriculture administration would not be hindered, and bowed deeply. Lawmakers called out "ganbare", and Livedoor News reported applause. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Asahi Shimbun wrote that the episode showed criticism of Yana and unease about the government's future management are growing within the ruling party. Livedoor News reported that Yana has also been criticised for repeatedly saying there were no records of approaches to the land ministry, and that he previously had 17.46 million yen in unreported funds in a factional slush-fund case, for which the party suspended him from posts. The committee is discussing a new rice paddy policy starting next fiscal year, centred on subsidy unit prices, with concrete discussions beginning that day. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
Asahi Shimbun wrote that the scene showed criticism of Yana and unease about how the government will be run are growing inside the ruling party. The meeting, of the LDP committee on agricultural structural transformation, began concrete talks on a new rice paddy policy that starts next fiscal year.
Key facts
- The meeting was the LDP Agricultural Structural Transformation Promotion Committee, held at LDP headquarters on the morning of 9 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Yana has faced criticism over a "budget cut" remark. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Yana's opening remarks pledged to secure the necessary budget while establishing food security, and drew applause. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Muneo Suzuki said Yana should first have acknowledged the uproar and pledged accountability, saying his "pride as a human being" was being questioned. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Yana stood again, apologised for causing trouble and concern, called it his own lack of virtue and bowed deeply. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Lawmakers in the room called out "ganbare" (keep going) after the apology. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The committee is discussing a new rice paddy policy from next fiscal year, centred on subsidy unit prices; concrete discussions began that day. [ 1 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Yana apologised and bowed at an LDP committee meeting at party headquarters on the morning of 9 October after Muneo Suzuki criticised his opening remarks. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Suzuki said Yana should have begun by apologising for the commotion and pledging to fulfil his accountability. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Yana pledged to fulfil his accountability so that agriculture administration would not be hindered. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Lawmakers called out "ganbare" after the apology. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- The meeting began at 8 a.m. Only Livedoor News gives the time; the other outlets say only that it was in the morning.
- Yana said he had "drastically cut" the road budgets of municipalities that did not support him. Only Livedoor News describes the content of the remark; the other outlets refer only to a "budget cut" remark.
- Yana has been accused of concealment for repeatedly saying there were no records of approaches to the land ministry. Reported only by Livedoor News.