Japan PM says farm minister to stay on despite controversial remarks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has decided to retain her farm minister, Kazuo Yana, despite intense criticism from opposition parties over his past remarks regarding road budget cuts. Takaichi acknowledged Yana's remarks as inappropriate and reprimanded him, but emphasized the importance of a proper explanation and his commitment to fulfilling his duties.

In a parliamentary session, Yana, who serves as Takaichi's right-hand man on agricultural policy, admitted that the remarks were not based on facts and pledged to discipline himself, dedicating all efforts to carrying out his responsibilities. The controversy arose after Yana's comments in May, claiming that budgets had been drastically reduced for two municipalities in his constituency, whose mayors had voted against him in the February general election.

Despite losing his single-seat district in Tochigi Prefecture to retain his House of Representatives seat through proportional representation, Yana was appointed as farm minister following a Cabinet reshuffle in mid-September. Yana initially made the reported remarks, later retracted them, and apologized on Monday, clarifying that he did not pressure the land ministry to cut the budgets and would not resign.