Agriculture minister Yana says he will explain report of free buses for supporters
In short
Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana (簗和生) said on 9 October that he is checking the facts behind a Shukan Bunshun (週刊文春) report that his side gave supporters free shuttle-bus rides during the 2024 and 2026 House of Representatives elections. He said he will explain once the facts are sorted out, and that he does not believe any law was broken.
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Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana (簗和生) said on 9 October that he is checking the facts behind a weekly magazine report that free shuttle-bus transport of his supporters during House of Representatives election campaigns may have broken the law, and that he will explain once the facts are sorted out. He made the remarks at a press conference after a cabinet meeting, according to Mainichi Shimbun, Tokyo Shimbun, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun and Livedoor News. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Shukan Bunshun (週刊文春), in an issue released this week, reported that in the 2024 House of Representatives election and this year's election, in which Yana stood as a candidate, supporters were carried free of charge on shuttle buses arranged by Yana's side. Mainichi Shimbun reported that the magazine distributed the article online on 7 October, together with the view of experts that the practice may violate the Public Offices Election Act. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Mainichi Shimbun quoted Yana as saying: "I have no awareness of a violation of the law, but as the (weekly magazine) raised the point, I am checking the facts." Tokyo Shimbun, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun and Livedoor News quoted him as saying that he is confirming the facts and will explain once they are sorted out, and that his understanding is that the matter was handled properly in accordance with the law. All four outlets reported that he will set up an opportunity to explain at a later date. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Separately, Yana faces criticism from both ruling and opposition parties over remarks about cutting road budgets for local governments. Asked about that criticism at the same press conference, he repeated that he would take the opinions seriously and respond carefully, Tokyo Shimbun, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun and Livedoor News reported. The documents do not describe the road budget remarks in detail. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The magazine report carried expert views that the transport may violate the Public Offices Election Act, which raises questions about a sitting cabinet minister's election campaigns. Outlets also noted that Yana already faces criticism from ruling and opposition parties over separate remarks about cutting road budgets for local governments.
Key facts
- Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana spoke at a press conference after a cabinet meeting on 9 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Shukan Bunshun reported that supporters were carried free of charge on shuttle buses arranged by Yana's side during the 2024 and this year's House of Representatives elections. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- The magazine published the article online on 7 October with experts' views that the practice may violate the Public Offices Election Act, Mainichi Shimbun reported. [ 1 ]
- Yana said he is checking the facts and will explain once they are sorted out, setting up an opportunity to do so at a later date. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Yana said his understanding is that the matter was handled properly in accordance with the law. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Yana faces criticism from ruling and opposition parties over remarks about cutting road budgets for local governments. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Yana said at a post-cabinet press conference on 9 October that he is checking the facts of the weekly magazine report and will explain later. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- The report concerns free shuttle-bus transport of Yana's supporters during the 2024 and 2026 House of Representatives elections. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Yana said he does not consider that the law was violated. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the free shuttle-bus transport violated the Public Offices Election Act. Experts cited by Shukan Bunshun say it may; Yana says he has no awareness of a violation and is still checking the facts.
- When and in what form Yana will give his explanation. The documents say only that he will set up an opportunity once the facts are sorted out.
- The details of Yana's remarks on cutting local road budgets. The documents mention the criticism but do not describe the remarks.