Embarrassment for Shinzo Abe after gaffe-prone Olympics minister Yoshitaka Sakurada forced to quit

Yoshitaka Sakurada infuriated residents of northeast Japan who are trying to rebuild their communities after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami

Previously, he admitted he had never used a computer despite also being responsible for Japan’s cybersecurity strategy

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Published: 4:24pm, 12 Apr 2019Updated: 4:34pm, 12 Apr 2019

The latest blunder from one of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet has exposed the shortage of capable ministers at Abe’s disposal and could harm the ruling party’s prospects in upcoming local elections.

Yoshitaka Sakurada, the minister overseeing the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, was forced to resign after infuriating residents of northeast Japan who are trying to rebuild their communities after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

The previous day, Sakurada said it was more important for members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to throw their support behind a lower house politician from Iwate Prefecture, which was badly affected by the 2011 disasters, than to support the reconstruction of the region.

Speaking at a fundraising party in Tokyo for Hinako Takahashi, Sakurada said: “Ms Takahashi is more important than the restoration. Please extend your assistance to her.”

In just six months in the job, Sakurada has demonstrated an uncanny ability to say the wrong thing. Abe decided he would have to go.

Within a month of his appointment, Sakurarda found himself under scrutiny. His portfolio also included overseeing Japan’s cybersecurity strategy but Sakurada admitted he had “never used a computer”. Instead, he said, he delegated staff and secretaries to do that for him. He also admitted he had never read the Olympic charter.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Photo: AP