Japan's agricultural minister resigns due to scandal, criticized by opposition parties: exposing deep-seated problems in the Gao city regime

China News Service, October 15 (Xinhua) According to comprehensive Japanese media reports, Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Liang Kazao, submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on the 14th. He had previously caused controversy due to inappropriate remarks and other issues. The Japanese opposition party said that this incident exposed the deep-seated problems of Takaichi's regime.

On October 13, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan, Liang Hesheng attended the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives and accepted questions.

According to reports, Liang Hesheng had previously said that the budgets of two districts that did not support him in the election were severely reduced. In addition, it was also exposed that he used free shuttle buses to pick up supporters during the election and was suspected of violating the Public Office Election Law. The opposition parties have been calling for his resignation.

According to reports, Tomoko Tamura, chairman of the Communist Party of Japan, said on the 14th that Liang Hesheng’s resignation was justified. She criticized, "Prime Minister Gao Shi, who has always supported him, should be held accountable."

The report pointed out that Tamura Tomoko questioned Takaichi’s appointment of Liang Hesheng and others who were involved in the Liberal Democratic Party’s “black money” scandal as cabinet ministers. She said this exposed the corruption of Gao City's political power. She further stated that the problem has shifted from Liang Hesheng to Gao Shi, and Gao Shi will continue to be held accountable for his appointment.

Liang Hesheng entered the cabinet on September 17 when Gao Shi Sanae reorganized the cabinet. He has been serving as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for less than a month. Japanese media pointed out that Liang Hesheng was the first cabinet minister to resign due to scandal after Gao City reorganized its cabinet. This incident is bound to deal a blow to the Gao City regime.