Politics · Japan · 3 hrs ago
Japanese opposition leader weighs censure motion against farm minister
Japan's opposition parties are pressing Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana to resign over comments about local road budgets.
Yana admitted to bragging about reducing budgets for municipalities that did not support him, raising concerns about whether public money was allocated fairly.
Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, says he will decide whether to seek a censure motion after hearing Yana's explanation in parliament.
Yana is due to appear for two days at a House of Representatives Budget Committee session starting Tuesday, and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is also scheduled to attend.
Six opposition parties have agreed to consider a motion, which would be non-binding even if passed.
The ruling coalition lacks a majority in the upper house, where such a motion could pass.
Yana also faces a newly reported allegation that he provided free shuttle bus rides to supporters during past elections, which could violate election law.
If he resigns, he would be the first minister to leave over a scandal under Takaichi's administration, which began in October 2025.
Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of Japan’s Democratic Party for the People, says he will decide whether to seek a censure motion against Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana after hearing his explanation in parliament.
Opposition parties are demanding Yana’s resignation after he admitted bragging about reducing local road budgets for municipalities that failed to support him.
Yana is scheduled to attend a House of Representatives Budget Committee session for two days from Tuesday.
Six opposition parties agreed Friday to consider submitting a censure motion in the upper house.
A censure motion against a Cabinet minister is not legally binding even if passed.
- Who
- Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, and Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana.
- What
- Tamaki will decide whether to submit a censure motion against Yana after hearing his parliamentary explanation.
- When
- Tamaki made the remarks Sunday. Yana is scheduled to attend a committee session for two days from Tuesday.
- Where
- Japan’s parliament, including the House of Representatives Budget Committee and the upper house.
- Why
- Yana admitted bragging about reducing road budgets for municipalities that failed to support him, raising concerns about fair public spending.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
We will see whether he can fulfill his accountability and a crucial decision will be necessary.
We cannot act as if nothing happened.
A political slush fund scandal emerged, and Yana was among LDP lawmakers disciplined over it.
Tamaki asked a question during a House of Representatives plenary session.
Six opposition parties agreed to consider submitting a censure motion against Yana.
Tamaki said he would decide whether to seek a censure motion after hearing Yana’s explanation.
Yana is scheduled to attend a two-day House of Representatives Budget Committee session.
- Minister
- Kazuo Yana
- Opposition leader
- Yuichiro Tamaki, Democratic Party for the People
- Motion
- A censure motion against a Cabinet minister is not legally binding even if passed.
- Opposition parties
- Six parties agreed to consider a censure motion.
- Committee session
- Two days from Tuesday
Sources
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