Abe suffers setback after 2 ministers quit
Print Edition
TWO Japanese cabinet ministers resigned yesterday over the dubious use of political funds, dealing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe his biggest setback since he took office in December 2012.
The resignations of the two women, including the high-profile trade and industry minister, could complicate tough decisions on key policies, including whether to go ahead with an unpopular plan to raise the sales tax and planned restarts of nuclear reactors shut down after the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
Abe hopes to contain the damage through swift replacements of the two, but the opposition is looking for other potentially vulnerable ministers also appointed in an early September cabinet reshuffle. Further resignations could raise doubts about Abe’s own future, some political experts said.
“There are more than two (other) ministers with regard to whom there are suspicions,” Yukio Edano, the opposition Democratic Party’s second-in-command, told reporters. “We will coordinate our actions among opposition parties, point out the problems and ask for explanations about the other ministers.”
Trade and industry Minister Yuko Obuchi, 40, the daughter of a prime minister and tipped as a future contender to become Japan’s first female premier, tendered her resignation after allegations that her support groups misused political funds.
Just hours later, Justice Minister Midori Matsushima also resigned. The opposition Democratic Party had filed a criminal complaint against Matsushima, accusing her of violating the election law by distributing paper fans to voters.
“I appointed them and as prime minister, I bear responsibility,” Abe told reporters at his office. “I deeply apologize to the people of the nation.”
Abe said he had picked Yoichi Miyazawa, 64, a former vice economics minister and the nephew of the late prime minister Kiichi Miyazawa, to replace Obuchi. He selected Yoko Kamikawa, 61, a former gender equality minister, for the justice portfolio.
The departures are the first cabinet resignations for Abe, who took office in 2012 for a rare second term, promising to revive Japan’s stalled economy and strengthen its security stance to cope with challenges such as a rising China.
Abe’s first stint as prime minister in 2006-2007 was marred by scandals among his ministers — several quit and one committed suicide. Abe himself resigned after a year in the face of parliamentary deadlock, sliding support and ill health.
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