‘It looks like desperation’: Japanese defence minister quits as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s approval rating plummets
Abe has drawn fire from both ruling and opposition party lawmakers for retaining Inada despite her missteps and perceived incompetence
Embattled Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi Inada on Friday said she was resigning, after a series of gaffes, missteps and a cover-up at her ministry that have contributed to a sharp plunge in public support for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Inada, 58, an Abe protege who shares his conservative views, had already expected to be replaced in a likely cabinet reshuffle next week that Abe hopes will help repair his ratings.
Support for the prime minister has sunk below 30 per cent in some polls, due to scandals over suspected cronyism and a view among many voters that he and his aides took them for granted.
Speaking to reporters after Inada announced her resignation at a separate news conference, Abe apologised “to the people from my heart”.
He said Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida would add the defence portfolio to his duties, to eliminate any gap at a time when Japan faces tough security challenges, such as volatile North Korea.
He should have thrown Inada under the bus long ago … doing so on the eve of a cabinet reshuffle only looks like desperation
Abe, however, had drawn fire from both ruling and opposition party lawmakers for retaining Inada despite her missteps and perceived incompetence.