Japan’s justice minister quits, in second resignation to hit Shinzo Abe’s cabinet in a week
- Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai’s abrupt resignation came six days after former trade and industry minister Isshu Sugawara resigned
- While the resignations may embarrass Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, they are unlikely to cause lasting damage, analysts say
Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai’s abrupt resignation came six days after that of former trade and industry minister, Isshu Sugawara, who had been accused of election law violations by allegedly giving gifts of melons and crabs to voters in his Tokyo constituency.
Both men were first-time cabinet ministers, but while their resignations may be an embarrassment to Abe just weeks before he becomes Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, they are unlikely to cause lasting damage due a lack of strong rivals and a weak opposition, analysts said.
The report in weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun said that in addition to Kawai distributing produce to supporters – including mangoes, usually pricey in Japan – his wife, Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Anri Kawai, had paid campaign staff more than amounts permitted by law.
Kawai said neither he nor his wife knew anything about the reported allegations and denied breaking any laws, but added that he decided to resign promptly to avoid harming the justice system through a loss of public trust.