Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2014 October 15 - 21 [POLITICS]

2 female ministers’ resignation delivers blow to Abe Cabinet

Economy Minister Obuchi Yuko and Justice Minister Matsushima Midori on October 20 resigned as Abe Cabinet ministers over alleged violations of the Public Offices Election Law, less than two months after the cabinet reshuffle.

An Obuchi political organization allegedly bought theater tickets for her supporters in violation of the Public Offices Election Law.

Matsushima is criticized for illegally distributing hand-held fans advertising her campaign to her constituents.

Explaining her reason for her resignation, Obuchi said to reporters that she was worried that the scandal would affect Diet deliberations. Matsushima in a press conference said that she decided to step down as a minister in order to avoid unnecessarily prolonging Diet discussions, while saying, “I don’t think I have done anything against the law.” The two clearly showed their intention to give priority to the smooth proceeding of the Diet over any responsibility to give an explanation.

Prime Minister Abe Shinzo admitted his responsibility for appointing the two members. As successors, he nominated Miyazawa Yoichi as Economic Minister, and Kawakami Yoko as Justice Minister.

In a news conference held in the Diet building on the same day, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Yamashita Yoshiki said, “Prime Minister Abe should be held responsible for selecting the two as cabinet members in the first place.” He pointed out that two of the five female ministers Abe appointed to promote women empowerment were forced to quit within two months in office, and that this greatly disappointed the general public.

Yamashita stressed that Obuchi’s resignation does not put an end to her scandal. He said that if Obuchi shows reluctance to disclose the facts behind her scandal, the Diet should take the role of looking into it, and the JCP will work to reveal the overall picture since the tip of the iceberg has been exposed.