Politics · Japan · 1 hr ago
Japan agriculture minister calls road budget remark inappropriate, denies pressure
Japan’s agriculture minister, Kazuo Yana, told a parliamentary budget committee that his remark about cutting road funding was inappropriate.
He denied trying to persuade the transport ministry to reduce its budget.
Yana said he had asked about road funding for two municipalities in Tochigi Prefecture after local people raised questions, but he could not clearly recall the details.
The exchange concerns whether a minister tried to influence how public road funds are allocated.
Yana also confirmed that his campaign had provided free shuttle buses to supporters in a past election, including older people.
He said the buses were arranged for humanitarian reasons, denied that they amounted to a gift or benefit, and said staff checked with the election commission beforehand.
The committee discussion also covered whether the buses could violate election law, but no further action was reported.
Japan’s agriculture minister, Kazuo Yanagisawa, said his remark about cutting road budgets was inappropriate.
He denied asking the transport ministry to reduce funding, saying there was no such request.
He said he had asked about how road funds were allocated in two municipalities in Tochigi Prefecture.
Yanagisawa said local people had previously asked his office about the projects.
He also acknowledged arranging free shuttle buses for supporters in a past election, saying they were provided out of consideration for older people and others.
- Who
- Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yanagisawa answered questions from lawmakers.
- What
- He called his road-budget remark inappropriate and denied pressuring the transport ministry to cut funding.
- When
- October 13, 2026.
- Where
- A House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting in Japan.
- Why
- He said he had asked about road-budget allocation after local people inquired about the projects.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Yanagisawa said local people had asked his office about the road projects.
Yanagisawa answered questions about the road-budget remark at the House of Representatives Budget Committee.
- Minister
- Kazuo Yanagisawa
- Committee date
- October 13, 2026
- Municipalities
- Nasukarasuyama City and Nakagawa Town, Tochigi Prefecture
- Road-budget position
- Denied requesting a reduction in the budget
- Election buses
- Free shuttle buses were arranged for supporters in a past election
What people are saying
不適切だった
予算の減額を求めたといった事実は一切ない
人道上の観点もあってシャトルバスを用意した
利益供与や寄付を行ったということでは一切ない。
Sources
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