Budget reduction, denying influence of Mr. Yan, Apology by Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister replacement - Liberal Democratic Party's Mr. Hagiuda
Quick Look
- Regarding the issue of former Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Kazuo Yan's statement that he had significantly cut the road budget for local governments headed by local governments, Liberal Democratic Party Acting Secretary-General Koichi Hagiuda denied that Yano had any influence on the budget cuts, stating that he had not been able to confirm that Yano's words and actions had changed the results of the allocation of amounts for each project.
- He also apologized for his comments about budget cuts that led to the change of Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and called on Mr.
- Yan to fulfill his accountability.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Yanakazu said that the road budget was drastically cut because local leaders did not support him in the House of Representatives election. This led to calls for the resignation of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, which ultimately led to his resignation.
Koichi Hagiuda, acting secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party, said on an NHK debate program on the 18th that the former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Yanakazu, ``significantly cut the road budget'' of local governments whose leaders did not support him in the House of Representatives election. ``We have not been able to confirm that the results of the allocation (determining the amount to be allocated to each project) were changed by Mr. Yan's words and actions,'' he said, denying that Mr. Yan had any influence on the budget reduction.
Budget reduction, denying influence of Mr. Yan, Apology by Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister replacement - Liberal Democratic Party's Mr. Hagiuda
Hagiuda emphasized, ``This is not a system in which a single councilor can raise or lower a local government's budget.'' He apologized for his remarks about ``budget cuts'' that led to the change of Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and asked ``I want Mr. Yan to fulfill his accountability.''
On the other hand, Hagiuda said, ``Budgets should not be subject to arbitrary control. If there is any mistrust, we need to investigate properly,'' and mentioned the option of investigating whether the budget is being allocated appropriately, not just regarding Yan's issue.
In response, Katsuya Shinba, secretary-general of the Democratic Party for the People, touched on the circumstances surrounding Yan's resignation after the 10 opposition parties in the House of Councilors had confirmed the submission of a resolution of censure, and requested, ``I want (the government and ruling party) to carefully listen to the voices of the opposition parties.''
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
An investigation will be conducted to confirm the facts regarding Mr. Yan's budget cut statement.
Possible · Within weeks
A review of the system to verify the appropriateness of budget allocation will be discussed.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- What are the specific criteria and process for location assignment?
- Which local governments have actually undergone budget cuts?
- Will an investigation be conducted to verify whether Mr. Yan's statements are true?
