Scandal-hit agriculture minister Yana announces resignation
His sudden exit deals a blow to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration, with key bills involving his ministry being debated in parliament.
Agriculture minister Kazuo Yana submitted his resignation on Wednesday evening, following a string of scandals that have damaged Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government. The unexpected departure leaves Takaichi without a crucial Cabinet ally and coincides with parliamentary discussions on significant legislative matters related to the ministry, such as a contentious bill to lower the food consumption tax from 8% to 1% for two years. The government is advocating for this bill, but opposition parties vehemently oppose it.
Yana faced intense criticism in parliament due to comments he made in May about reducing road budgets for two towns in Tochigi Prefecture whose mayors had not supported him during the February Lower House election.
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