Japan’s agriculture minister resigns amid election-related allegations

Japan’s agriculture minister Kazuo Yanagase resigned on October 14, less than a month after taking office.

The controversy began with remarks he made at a private meeting in May, saying he had sharply cut road funding for two local areas in Tochigi Prefecture that did not support him in an election.

He withdrew the remarks and apologized after criticism that he was threatening voters based on their political support.

Questions also arose over free shuttle buses for his supporters in past elections, which may have violated election law rules against giving voters money or goods.

Yanagase first said he had checked in advance with the local election commission that the buses were legal, but later revised his account and said he may have asked after the fact.

His campaign also faced a payment allegation involving workers paid to call voters and ask them to support him; if true, this could breach rules limiting which campaign workers may be paid.

The allegations and criticism led to his resignation from the cabinet, though the available information does not say what happens next in any investigation.