Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

Japan PM Abe loses two female ministers over cash scandals

-

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe suffered a double setback Monday with the resignations of two female cabinet ministers over claims they misused political funds, dealing a blow to his proclaimed gender reform drive.

Industry minister Yuko Obuchi and justice minister Midori Matsushima quit after days of allegations that they had misspent money in what opponents insisted was an attempt to buy votes.

Their loss reduces to three the number of women in the cabinet, after Abe's widely-praised move in September to promote a record-tying five to his administration.

"I'm the person who appointed the two. As prime minister, I take responsibility for this and deeply apologise for this situation," Abe told reporters.

Yoichi Miyazawa, a lawmaker and nephew of former prime minister Kiichi Miyazawa, will replace Obuchi as industry minister, Abe said.

Yoko Kamikawa, a 61-year-old female politician and former state minister in charge of Japan's declining birthrate, was named as the new justice minister.

The double resignations are the first significant problem for Abe since he swept to power in December 2012, ending years of fragile governments that swapped prime ministers on an annual basis.

Japanese industry minister Yuko Obuchi announces her resignation in Tokyo on October 20  2014. The s...
Japanese industry minister Yuko Obuchi announces her resignation in Tokyo on October 20, 2014. The scanadal is a blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's gender reform drive
Yoshikazu Tsuno, AFP

While commentators generally agreed that this would not be the end of the hard-charging premier, who has moved to reinvigorate Japan's lacklustre economy, they cautioned that he was now vulnerable.

"This is Abe's first major stumble," said Tomoaki Iwai, professor of politics at Nihon University in Tokyo.

"His approval rate is likely to fall and Abe will be under pressure. If he repeats similar mistakes, it's going to be a fatal blow to his administration."

Obuchi, who carried on the dynasty of her father, a former prime minister, offered a fresh, youthful face on the front benches -- a place generally dominated by older men.

As a mother of two, her family-friendly image was expected to help convince a sceptical public on the safety of re-starting Japan's stalled nuclear power plants.

But her elevation had also reportedly irked some longer-serving male politicians who felt they were passed over in favour of a younger woman with little cabinet experience.

- Subsidised theatre trips -

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives at his official residence in Tokyo  October 20  2014....
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives at his official residence in Tokyo, October 20, 2014. Japan's industry minister has submitted her resignation, reports said
Kazuhiro Nogi, AFP

Obuchi's downfall started last week when reports emerged that she had spent political funds on make-up and accessories as gifts for supporters.

They were followed by claims that she had subsidised theatre trips for voters from her rural constituency.

The claims, which were priced at tens of millions of yen (hundreds of thousands of dollars) over several years, were taken as evidence of attempted vote buying.

"It is not permissible for me as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry to have economy and energy policies stalled because of my own problems," she told a press conference carried live on multiple television channels.

"I will resign and focus on probing what has been called into question," she told reporters after a 30-minute meeting with Abe.

Matsushima has been under fire for allegedly giving out cheap paper fans with her name and picture printed on them, in what critics said was a bid to buy support.

One of those fans was for sale on an Internet auction site Monday, with the price having reached 2,100 yen ($20).

Japan's industry minister Yuko Obuchi (2nd L) arrives at the prime minister's official res...
Japan's industry minister Yuko Obuchi (2nd L) arrives at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo to meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on October 20, 2014
Kazuhiro Nogi, AFP

Money scandals are not uncommon in Japanese politics, where the pork barrel reigns and rules on spending tend to be slightly opaque, barring little except explicit bribery and vote buying.

The promotion of five women to his cabinet was seen as part of Abe's bid to boost the role of women in society, a move viewed as vital to help plug the holes in Japan's workforce and make better use of a pool of latent talent.

Asked if she felt her relative youth and her gender had played a role in the way the scandal emerged, Obuchi demurred.

"I only learnt now that this issue could be seen in this light," she said.

Sadakazu Tanigaki, secretary-general and the number two in Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, earlier said Obuchi's resignation was "extremely regrettable."

"As Ms Obuchi was symbolic of women having an active role, I think there will be damage (to the government)," Tanigaki told reporters.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe suffered a double setback Monday with the resignations of two female cabinet ministers over claims they misused political funds, dealing a blow to his proclaimed gender reform drive.

Industry minister Yuko Obuchi and justice minister Midori Matsushima quit after days of allegations that they had misspent money in what opponents insisted was an attempt to buy votes.

Their loss reduces to three the number of women in the cabinet, after Abe’s widely-praised move in September to promote a record-tying five to his administration.

“I’m the person who appointed the two. As prime minister, I take responsibility for this and deeply apologise for this situation,” Abe told reporters.

Yoichi Miyazawa, a lawmaker and nephew of former prime minister Kiichi Miyazawa, will replace Obuchi as industry minister, Abe said.

Yoko Kamikawa, a 61-year-old female politician and former state minister in charge of Japan’s declining birthrate, was named as the new justice minister.

The double resignations are the first significant problem for Abe since he swept to power in December 2012, ending years of fragile governments that swapped prime ministers on an annual basis.

Japanese industry minister Yuko Obuchi announces her resignation in Tokyo on October 20  2014. The s...

Japanese industry minister Yuko Obuchi announces her resignation in Tokyo on October 20, 2014. The scanadal is a blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's gender reform drive
Yoshikazu Tsuno, AFP

While commentators generally agreed that this would not be the end of the hard-charging premier, who has moved to reinvigorate Japan’s lacklustre economy, they cautioned that he was now vulnerable.

“This is Abe’s first major stumble,” said Tomoaki Iwai, professor of politics at Nihon University in Tokyo.

“His approval rate is likely to fall and Abe will be under pressure. If he repeats similar mistakes, it’s going to be a fatal blow to his administration.”

Obuchi, who carried on the dynasty of her father, a former prime minister, offered a fresh, youthful face on the front benches — a place generally dominated by older men.

As a mother of two, her family-friendly image was expected to help convince a sceptical public on the safety of re-starting Japan’s stalled nuclear power plants.

But her elevation had also reportedly irked some longer-serving male politicians who felt they were passed over in favour of a younger woman with little cabinet experience.

– Subsidised theatre trips –

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives at his official residence in Tokyo  October 20  2014....

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives at his official residence in Tokyo, October 20, 2014. Japan's industry minister has submitted her resignation, reports said
Kazuhiro Nogi, AFP

Obuchi’s downfall started last week when reports emerged that she had spent political funds on make-up and accessories as gifts for supporters.

They were followed by claims that she had subsidised theatre trips for voters from her rural constituency.

The claims, which were priced at tens of millions of yen (hundreds of thousands of dollars) over several years, were taken as evidence of attempted vote buying.

“It is not permissible for me as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry to have economy and energy policies stalled because of my own problems,” she told a press conference carried live on multiple television channels.

“I will resign and focus on probing what has been called into question,” she told reporters after a 30-minute meeting with Abe.

Matsushima has been under fire for allegedly giving out cheap paper fans with her name and picture printed on them, in what critics said was a bid to buy support.

One of those fans was for sale on an Internet auction site Monday, with the price having reached 2,100 yen ($20).

Japan's industry minister Yuko Obuchi (2nd L) arrives at the prime minister's official res...

Japan's industry minister Yuko Obuchi (2nd L) arrives at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo to meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on October 20, 2014
Kazuhiro Nogi, AFP

Money scandals are not uncommon in Japanese politics, where the pork barrel reigns and rules on spending tend to be slightly opaque, barring little except explicit bribery and vote buying.

The promotion of five women to his cabinet was seen as part of Abe’s bid to boost the role of women in society, a move viewed as vital to help plug the holes in Japan’s workforce and make better use of a pool of latent talent.

Asked if she felt her relative youth and her gender had played a role in the way the scandal emerged, Obuchi demurred.

“I only learnt now that this issue could be seen in this light,” she said.

Sadakazu Tanigaki, secretary-general and the number two in Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, earlier said Obuchi’s resignation was “extremely regrettable.”

“As Ms Obuchi was symbolic of women having an active role, I think there will be damage (to the government),” Tanigaki told reporters.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

Tech & Science

Under new legislation that passed the House of Representatives last week, TikTok could be banned in the United States.

Social Media

Wanna buy some ignorance? You’re in luck.

Life

Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest often suggest travel destinations based on your likes and viewing habits.

Business

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the carrier was reviewing recent incidents and would redouble safety initiatives as needed - Copyright AFP Logan CyrusUnited...