Opposition parties all criticize Prime Minister's responsibility, targeting Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Seki after Yan's resignation

Following the resignation of Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Kazuo Yan, who was reported to have made a ``budget cut'' statement regarding the House of Representatives election and allegedly violated the Public Offices Election Law, opposition parties have all called for the responsibility of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who had been allowed to continue in the post on the 14th. The matter will continue to be raised in the Diet.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Yan submits resignation, first blow to Prime Minister Takaichi after inauguration of government after suspicion of violation of public election law

Yuichi Goto, chairman of the Democratic Reform Party's country relations committee, criticized the Prime Minister, telling reporters inside the Diet, ``It's too late to resign.The prime minister's judgment will be questioned.'' He also referred to a new report on Bunshun Online that said Yan had bribed campaign workers in the past House of Representatives election, and added, ``He should resign as a member of the Diet.''

Yuichiro Tamaki, head of the Democratic Party of the People, pointed out that the Cabinet has a responsibility to respond to doubts and suspicions. He called for plenary sessions and budget committees to be held in both the House of Representatives and acknowledged that this would be a condition for the consumption tax reduction bill to be considered.

Mitsunari Okamoto, representative of the New Komeito Party, told reporters, ``This is a natural disparagement.This is a parade of incidents that cannot be resolved by resignation.'' Yoshitaka Saito, chairman of the Constitutional Democratic Party's country relations committee, said Yan's explanation was insufficient and criticized him, saying, ``It cannot be said that he has fulfilled his accountability.'' He appealed for the House of Councilors Budget Committee to hold multiple intensive deliberations.