According to a report by Economic Information Agency on the 15th, Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Yoshikazu Shiraishi, resigned on Wednesday (14th) after being accused of vote-buying, with Prime Minister Sanae Hayashi accepting his resignation. This marks the first cabinet resignation since Hayashi's government took office in October last year.
In May, Shiraishi publicly stated that he had significantly cut road budgets for cities and towns led by local officials who did not support him in the House of Representatives election. On the 13th, he admitted during a budget committee session in the lower house that he had provided free bus transportation for supporters during the House of Representatives election. The opposition parties accused him of violating the Public Offices Election Act and demanded his resignation.
On Thursday, Kyodo News cited sources reporting that Hayashi has decided to appoint Arata Takebe as the new agriculture minister to succeed Shiraishi, who will officially take office after the day's certification ceremony. (yc)
In May, Shiraishi publicly stated that he had significantly cut road budgets for cities and towns led by local officials who did not support him in the House of Representatives election. On the 13th, he admitted during a budget committee session in the lower house that he had provided free bus transportation for supporters during the House of Representatives election. The opposition parties accused him of violating the Public Offices Election Act and demanded his resignation.
On Thursday, Kyodo News cited sources reporting that Hayashi has decided to appoint Arata Takebe as the new agriculture minister to succeed Shiraishi, who will officially take office after the day's certification ceremony. (yc)
