Arata Takebe appointed as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Prime Minister Takaichi rushes to rebuild system

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi decided on the 15th to appoint former Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Arata Takebe (56) of the Liberal Democratic Party as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to replace Kazuo Yan, who resigned. The announcement was made during a meeting with Takebe at the Prime Minister's official residence. The government plans to hold a ministerial certification ceremony at the Imperial Palace from 5:30 p.m. on the same day to rebuild the cabinet structure.

Yan's dismissal, undeniable Prime Minister's late move, suspicions continue, opposition parties attack, white flag - Opposition parties will pursue responsibility for appointment

The Prime Minister referred to Takebe's career including serving as chairman of the party's agriculture and forestry division, and instructed him, ``I'm sure you have all the (issues) in mind.I want you to do your best.'' Mr. Takebe told reporters of his aspirations, saying, ``We are entering an important phase for the agriculture and fisheries administration.I will carry out my heavy responsibilities.'' In light of Yan's resignation over comments such as ``budget cuts,'' he also stated, ``We need to promote policies that are highly fair.''

Mr. Takebe was elected to the Hokkaido 12th district of the House of Representatives six times. His father, Tsutomu Takebe, former secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, also served as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Meanwhile, on the morning of the 15th, Liberal Democratic Party's Chairman of the House of Councilors Committee on Country Relations Hitoshi Isozaki met with Yoshitaka Saito, Chairman of the Committee on Country Relations of the Constitutional Democratic Party, and discussed the future schedule of the Diet. Mr. Isozaki requested that the question and answer session of the House of Councilors Budget Committee, attended by the prime minister and all Cabinet members, be held as scheduled on the 16th and 19th, but Mr. Saito expressed reluctance.

On the House of Representatives side, the country relations committee chairs of the five opposition parties held talks. The two leaders agreed to request thorough deliberations regarding the bill related to the consumption tax reduction on food products, including the prime minister's attendance at plenary sessions and committee meetings, and questioning of witnesses. It was also confirmed that the House of Representatives will request intensive deliberations in the Budget Committee in response to Yan's resignation.