Japan's agriculture minister submits resignation amid budget and election-bus controversy
In short
Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana (簗和生) submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on October 14, Asahi Shimbun reports. He faced criticism over remarks about cutting road budgets in areas that did not support him and free shuttle-bus transport for election supporters.
Read the full story 1 min read
Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana (簗和生) submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on October 14 after controversies over road-budget remarks and free election shuttle buses, Asahi Shimbun reports. Yana met Takaichi at the prime minister's office and said afterward that he had decided to resign himself because he could not cause further disruption to parliamentary proceedings or agricultural administration. He apologised to those affected. [ 38 ]
The road-budget controversy concerns Yana's claim that he substantially cut funds for municipalities whose leaders did not support him in the February lower-house election. Asahi reported that he acknowledged the remarks, withdrew them and apologised at an October 5 news conference, but denied having sought budget cuts. On October 13, Takaichi told the lower-house budget committee that such remarks would be inappropriate if true. She said ministers must ensure fair budget allocation regardless of election support and accepted responsibility for appointing him. [ 4 , 8 , 38 ]
Yana also acknowledged in the October 13 budget committee that supporters had been transported free of charge on shuttle buses during earlier elections, Asahi and Tokyo Shimbun reported. He denied illegality, while the prime minister declined to make a definitive judgment on whether election law had been violated. Takaichi said she would not hesitate if illegality were established. Asahi reported that Tochigi's election commission indicated the arrangements could raise legal problems. [ 7 , 24 , 38 ]
Takaichi had previously supported keeping Yana in office, but on October 13 said she would consider whether he should continue administering the ministry and asked him first to fulfil his duty to explain. Komeito lawmaker Hiro-masa Nakano (中野洋昌) called for his replacement, arguing that the remarks undermined confidence in agricultural administration. Asahi reported that Yana first entered the cabinet in the September reshuffle and that his resignation would be the first such ministerial removal under Takaichi if it took effect. [ 4 , 8 , 38 ]
Why it matters
The controversy prompted calls for Yana's replacement from opposition lawmakers and criticism within the governing parties. Takaichi had said she would reconsider whether he should run the ministry, while requiring him to explain his conduct.
Key facts
- Asahi Shimbun reports that Yana submitted his resignation after meeting Takaichi on October 14. [ 38 ]
- Yana said he decided to resign to avoid further disruption to parliamentary proceedings and agricultural administration. [ 38 ]
- Yana acknowledged his road-budget remarks but denied acting to cut the budgets, Asahi reports. [ 38 ]
- Yana acknowledged free shuttle-bus transport for supporters during earlier elections and denied illegality. [ 24 , 38 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the resignation was accepted and who would replace Yana. Asahi reports submission of the resignation but the supplied documents give no acceptance or successor announcement.
- Whether the bus arrangements violated election law. Yana denies illegality; Takaichi said she could not make a definitive legal assessment, while Asahi reports concerns from the prefectural election commission.