Tokyo, Oct 14 — Embattled Japanese agriculture minister Kazuo Yana resigned from the cabinet on Wednesday, dealing a major blow to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government, Kyodo News reported.
Yana has come under fire for a series of controversies over his past remarks and conduct. Japanese media said his resignation could raise questions about Takaichi's responsibility for the appointment.
A successor to Yana is expected to be announced on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported. According to media reports in late September, Yana told supporters in his constituency in May that fiscal 2026 road budgets had been sharply cut for two municipalities whose mayors did not support him in the House of Representatives election in February.
The remarks sparked widespread criticism, with some opposition lawmakers saying they amounted to voter intimidation.
A weekly magazine reported last week that Yana had also provided free shuttle bus rides to his supporters during past lower house election campaigns, possibly in violation of the Public Offices Election Act.
According to Kyodo News, Takaichi had initially made clear that Yana would stay on, but her stance shifted as opposition parties stepped up pressure for his resignation.
At a House of Representatives Budget Committee session on Tuesday, she criticized Yana's remarks as "deeply inappropriate" and said she "will not hesitate" to dismiss him "if illegality is found" in his conduct.
Yana had previously been disciplined by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party over a high-profile political slush fund scandal. Nevertheless, he was appointed minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries in the cabinet reshuffle in September, becoming one of the first disciplined lawmakers to enter the cabinet since the scandal came to light in late 2023.
Japan's Mainichi Shimbun pointed out that Yana is the first cabinet minister to step down over scandals since the Takaichi administration took office, and Takaichi may face questions over her responsibility for the appointment.
Kyodo News said the resignation marks a setback for the prime minister, who is set to mark a year in office later this month.