Japanese Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana resigned on October 14 amid allegations of vote-buying, marking the first ministerial departure from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government over a scandal. The resignation was reportedly accepted by Takaichi, who cited the need to focus on advancing key policies during the ongoing extraordinary Diet session.
Yana apologized for the disruption caused and explained that his decision to step down was motivated by concerns about impeding parliamentary proceedings and his ministerial responsibilities. He declined to comment on Takaichi’s response to his resignation. According to reports, a successor was expected to be named on October 15.
The controversy surrounding Yana began with reports that he had threatened to cut road construction funding to municipalities that had not supported him in the general election held in February. This allegation triggered backlash, particularly from rural areas, which traditionally form a base of support for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). One affected locality passed a motion on October 14 condemning Yana’s statements, emphasizing the critical importance of road funding for disaster response and resident safety.
Yana later retracted his remarks on the funding cuts and issued a public apology, denying any instructions to the Infrastructure Ministry to alter budget allocations. An official from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism confirmed there had been no pressure from Yana regarding infrastructure budgets.
The situation escalated when additional reports emerged accusing Yana of potentially violating Japan’s strict electoral laws by arranging free transportation for supporters to attend an election campaign rally. Media outlets suggested this could equate to vote-buying, an allegation Yana denied, asserting that the transportation was covered as a venue expense and did not qualify as a donation.
Prime Minister Takaichi initially resisted calls for Yana’s resignation but shifted her stance following these developments. In a parliamentary statement on October 14, she said she would not hesitate to make personnel changes if illegality was confirmed, although she acknowledged uncertainty regarding the legal status of the allegations at that point. Takaichi took responsibility for appointing Yana and appeared intent on preventing a cascade of resignations that had troubled previous administrations.
Despite the controversy, Takaichi’s administration maintained relatively stable public support. A national broadcaster’s latest poll showed her approval rating at 51%, slightly lower than the previous month but still above that of recent predecessors. Her cabinet has so far weathered other scandals, including past reports of improper conduct among ministers, without significant cabinet reshuffles until last month.
Observers note that Yana’s resignation could either be seen as an isolated incident handled quickly and appropriately by the prime minister or could trigger further instability within her cabinet. The allegations and accusations of punitive election tactics may also present challenges for the LDP ahead of next spring’s local elections, where voters will choose municipal leaders and council members.