Japan Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana resigns amid election-related controversies, putting fresh pressure on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her government…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Japanese Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana resigned on Wednesday following a series of controversies over his past remarks and conduct, dealing a setback to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government. His departure is expected to raise questions about Takaichi’s decision to appoint him and her handling of the growing political pressure.
A successor to Yana is expected to be announced on Thursday, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Yana has faced mounting criticism over remarks he reportedly made to supporters in his constituency in May, in which he claimed that road budgets for the 2026 fiscal year had been sharply reduced for two municipalities whose mayors did not support him in the House of Representatives election in February.
Japanese media reported the remarks in late September, prompting widespread criticism. Some opposition lawmakers accused Yana of making statements that amounted to voter intimidation.
A weekly magazine also reported last week that Yana had provided free shuttle bus rides to supporters during previous lower house election campaigns, potentially violating Japan’s Public Offices Election Act.
According to Kyodo News, Takaichi initially indicated that Yana would remain in the cabinet. However, her position shifted as opposition parties intensified pressure for his resignation.
During a House of Representatives Budget Committee session on Tuesday, the prime minister described Yana’s remarks as “deeply inappropriate” and said she “will not hesitate” to dismiss him “if illegality is found” in his conduct.
Yana’s resignation comes against the backdrop of an earlier disciplinary action by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) over a high-profile political slush fund scandal.
Despite that disciplinary action, he was appointed minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries during a cabinet reshuffle in September. He became one of the first lawmakers disciplined over the scandal to enter the cabinet since the controversy emerged in late 2023.
The appointment had already attracted attention because of the political fund scandal, and the latest controversies have intensified scrutiny of his position in the government.
Japan’s Mainichi Shimbun reported that Yana was the first cabinet minister to step down over scandals since the Takaichi administration took office. His departure could prompt further questions about the prime minister’s judgement in selecting ministers and her responsibility for their conduct.
Kyodo News described the resignation as a setback for Takaichi, who is due to mark a year in office later this month.
The departure adds to the political challenges facing the prime minister as her government deals with opposition criticism over Yana’s conduct and the circumstances surrounding his appointment.
With a successor expected to be named on Thursday, attention is likely to turn to the government’s choice of replacement and whether the resignation will ease pressure on Takaichi.
