Prime Minister Takaichi fires Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Yan Yan, first blow to government after taking office - following suspicion of violation of public election law

On the night of the 14th, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi received and accepted a letter of resignation from Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Kazuo Yan, who was accused of violating the Public Offices Election Act in the past House of Representatives election. This is, in effect, the first cabinet change due to scandal since the Takaichi administration took office in October last year. The prime minister plans to decide on a successor on the 15th.

It has been less than a month since the Cabinet reshuffle on the 17th of last month, and it is certain that this will be a blow to the Prime Minister's administration. The opposition parties are poised to intensify their pursuit of the prime minister over his responsibility for making the appointment.

After accepting the resignation letter, the prime minister told reporters, ``I have decided to accept Mr. Yan's (resignation) offer because it is necessary to provide answers to important issues,'' citing the consumption tax reduction bill and other issues. ``I take the responsibility of being appointed seriously,'' he said.

Yan explained the reason for his resignation, saying, ``I couldn't cause any more trouble in the Diet deliberations, and I thought it was necessary to avoid a situation where I couldn't concentrate on agriculture, fisheries, and fisheries administration.''

Prior to Yan's resignation, on the 14th, the chairmen of the House of Councilors Committee on Country Affairs from 10 opposition parties, including the Constitutional Democratic Party and the Democratic People's Democratic Party, discussed a resolution to censure Yan and agreed to submit it to the House of Councilors on the 15th if he does not resign. The ruling party was in the minority in the House of Councilors, so if it was submitted, there was a chance it would pass.

In response to Yan's resignation, Yuichi Goto, chairman of the Democratic Reform Party's country relations committee, harshly criticized the move to reporters, saying, ``It's too late. The prime minister's judgment will be questioned.''

Mr. Yan has been pursued by opposition parties over allegations that he violated the Public Elections Act by giving free bus rides to supporters during the House of Representatives election, and for saying that he had "significantly cut" the road budget of local governments whose leaders did not support him. Bunshun Online reported on the 14th a new suspicion that Yan's camp had bribed campaign workers in the past House of Representatives election.

On the night of the 13th, the prime minister spoke to Mr. Yan over the phone about the bus scandal.