Japan Press Weekly

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2017 August 2 - 8 [POLITICS]

Ministers’ 1st press conferences confirm Abe’s intent to cover up scandals through Cabinet shake-up

Prime Minister Abe Shinzo at a press conference regarding his Cabinet reshuffle suggested that the “Moritomo” and “Kake” scandals in addition to the Defense Ministry’s cover-up scandal were reasons for the reshuffle. He said that he will reflect on his handling of the scandals and listen to the voices of the people. However, the new ministers’ remarks at their first press conference revealed that what Abe said was a glib excuse.

Education Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa said that he now has no intent to reinvestigate the ministry’s internal documents related to the setting up of a new veterinary department at the Kake Gakuen school corporation. Minister in charge of regional revitalization Kajiyama Hiroshi will have jurisdiction over the national strategic special zones policy which was used in the veterinary school scandal. He, however, avoided commenting on this matter.

Regarding the daily report cover-up scandal, Defense Minister Onodera Itsunori only stated that the MoD Inspector General’s Office of legal compliance in its report on the cover-up probe proposed measures to prevent a recurrence. The minister stopped short of showing his willingness to disclose full information in regard to the allegation that the cover-up involved his predecessor Inada Tomomi.

Meanwhile, at the same time, all ministers expressed their determination to promote Abe’s anti-people policies as in the past.

Defense Minister Onodera said that the government is consistent in insisting that in order to realize the return of the U.S. Futenma base as early as possible, the Henoko relocation is the only option. He declared that the new U.S. base construction will proceed on schedule.

Justice Minister Kamikawa Yoko revealed that PM Abe gave her explicit instructions in regard to the conspiracy law and she expressed her intent to implement the law. Labor Minister Kato Katsunobu expressed eagerness to enact a “zero-overtime payment” bill. Economy and Agriculture ministers respectively proclaimed that they will promote the TPP and Japan-EU EPA free-trade agreements.