Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Yan Yan acknowledges comments about budget cuts for local governments and apologizes
``The way I expressed it caused a misunderstanding,'' he explained, and intends to continue in the role.
Quick Look
- Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Kazuo Yan apologized for a report in which he was quoted as saying that he had "significantly cut" the road budget for local governments in his home prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture, acknowledging that the expression had caused misunderstanding.
- The opposition parties are poised to pursue the matter in an extraordinary Diet session, but Yan has indicated his intention to continue serving.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
In May, before taking office, Yan was reported to have said that he had cut the road budgets of local governments that supported his opponent in the House of Representatives election.
Liberal Democratic Party Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Kazuo Yan held a press conference in the Diet on the evening of the 2nd, and generally acknowledged that he was reported to have said that the road budget of local governments in his home prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture, had been ``significantly cut'', saying that ``some of the expressions were misleading.'' Regarding his resignation, he expressed his intention to continue in the role, saying, ``I want to fulfill my responsibilities.'' Opposition parties view the remarks as problematic and plan to pursue them at an extraordinary Diet session to be convened on the 5th.
The remarks were reported by Bunshun Online and Weekly Shincho. According to the report, at a social gathering of the Liberal Democratic Party branch in Tochigi Prefecture in May before taking office, Mr. Yan made reference to the prefecture's Nasukarasuyama City and Nakagawa Town, where the leaders supported opposing candidates in the February House of Representatives election, saying, ``The road budget for 2026 has been drastically cut,'' and ``the leaders took the action of saying, ``We don't need Liberal Democratic Party Diet members.''
At a press conference on the 2nd, Mr. Yan said, ``We made an inquiry to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism regarding the budget amount and reported it at a local meeting.'' On the other hand, regarding the request to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to cut its budget, he denied saying, ``I have never conveyed anything intentional.'' Regarding the audio purported to be from Yan, which Bunshun made available to paid members, he said, ``I have not confirmed it,'' but added, ``If the audio is available, I think he said it.''
As for his intention with the remark, he explained, ``I think he said it with the intention of repaying (his supporters) with work.'' As Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, he stated that he would not make any intentional budget allocations.
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 2nd, Yan did not answer, saying that his activities were "as a member of the Diet before taking office." Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said at a press conference, ``We have received reports that there has been no reduction in the road budget.''
What to Watch
AI outlook â possibilities, not facts
Opposition parties will pursue this matter at the extraordinary Diet session convened on the 5th.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What are the details of the opposition party's pursuit in the extraordinary Diet session?
- Did it actually have an impact on budget allocation?
