
高市早苗首相は、簗和生農林水産相の陣営が衆院選で支援者を無料バスで運んだ公職選挙法違反疑惑について、簗氏から前夜に電話で報告を受けたと明らかにした。違法性の判断は関係当局に委ねつつ、違法と判断した場合は人事上の躊躇しない姿勢を示し、簗氏にさらに説明責任を果たすよう求めた。
AI-generated summary
簗和生農林水産相の陣営が衆院選で支援者を無料バスで運んだという公職選挙法違反の疑惑が浮上している。簗氏は以前、スタッフが選挙管理委員会に事前に問い合わせたと主張していたが、後に記録がないと説明した。
高市早苗首相は14日午前の衆院予算委員会で、簗和生農林水産相の陣営が衆院選で支援者を無料バスで運んだとする公職選挙法違反疑惑について、簗氏から13日夜に電話で報告を受けたと明らかにした。首相は「現時点で違法か否か答えることはできない」と判断を留保し、「さらに説明責任を尽くしてほしい」と強調した。
高市首相、簗氏進退に言及 「違法性あれば即断」―野党、自発的辞任要求
首相は「公選法違反に当たるのかどうかは、個別具体的な事実関係を踏まえて関係当局が判断すべきだ」と指摘。「私も違法・法令違反ではないかという判断に至った時には、人事上(の判断)もちゅうちょしない」と重ねて強調した。会派「中道」に所属する公明党の伊佐進一氏への答弁。
簗氏は13日の予算委で、自身のスタッフが地元の選挙管理委員会に事前に問い合わせ、法的に問題ないとの回答を受けたと主張していた。簗氏は14日、改めて秘書に確認した結果として「『収支報告書の計上方法について照会をしたのかもしれない』と報告を受けた」と説明した。当時の対応に関し「記録は残っていない」とした。
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
関係当局による公職選挙法違反の事実関係調査が行われる
Likely · Within weeks
簗和生農相に対する野党からの辞任要求が続く可能性
Possible · Within weeks

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Fisheries Yan Yan said of his resignation, saying, ``I want to fulfill my duties to the best of my ability.'' Multiple news events were occurring simultaneously, from domestic politics to international affairs, such as Russia detaining a Japanese journalist on suspicion of espionage, Saudi Aramco's headquarters being attacked and causing a fire, and North Korea launching a ballistic missile.

At the House of Representatives Budget Committee, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasized the groundbreaking significance of the ``Employee Burden Reduction Support'', which is being introduced in conjunction with the consumption tax cut on food products, and explained the continuous support based on income. He declined to comment on payment requirements or amounts. Furthermore, in response to the arrest of a US Marine on suspicion of robbery and murder in Okinawa, it was announced that Japan and the US have begun discussions on effective measures.

TASS reported that a Japanese man, a correspondent for the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper, had been arrested on suspicion of espionage in Russia's Sakhalin region, Prime Minister Takaichi mentioned Agriculture, Fisheries and Fisheries Minister Yan Yan's alleged violation of the public election law, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced the expected rice harvest for 2026. In addition, the South Korean military confirmed North Korea's ballistic missile launch, and Saudi authorities announced the number of casualties from the Riyadh airport attack.

Prime Minister Takaichi expressed his intention to take strict action against Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Yan, who has been suspected of violating the Public Offices Election Act, if illegality is confirmed, including whether he advances or resigns. The prime minister will receive a report from him on the 13th and is scheduled to meet with him on the 14th.

At the House of Representatives Budget Committee on the 13th, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi mentioned for the first time the possibility of a reshuffle regarding Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Kazuo Yan's remarks about cutting the road budget, saying, ``I will think carefully, including whether it is okay to run the government.'' Opposition parties are stepping up their efforts to demand his resignation.

Prime Minister Takaichi stated that he would not hesitate if there was any illegality in the move or retreat of Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Yan, and other major domestic and international news stories were reported, including North Korea's ballistic missile launch and Saudi airport attack.