Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana Apologizes to Staff Over Road Budget Remark
Shimpei Okuhara
October 14, 2026
A ministry support team has handled legal questions and Diet answers for him as upper-house opposition parties weigh a censure motion.
Apology from Minister Yana
Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana apologized on October 13 for placing a significant burden on ministry staff after suggesting he would cut road funding to municipalities whose mayors had not supported him in the recent Lower House election.
"I have placed a tremendous burden on those involved, and I am truly sorry," Yana stated at a press conference.
Support Team Handling Various Matters
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has established a support team to assist Yana, comprising officials from outside the ministry's secretariat. This team manages legal matters, Diet questions, and media inquiries.
"It pains me that so many people have had to deal with all of this," Yana expressed.
He clarified that while his staff mainly handles political activity-related matters, ministry officials also become involved due to his ministerial duties and Diet proceedings.
Opposition Weighing Censure Motion
On October 9, the Diet affairs chiefs of six opposition parties in the Upper House agreed to consider submitting a censure motion against Yana.
When asked about the possibility, Yana declined to comment, stating, "Given my position, I cannot comment on matters that the Diet will decide." He added that he would continue to provide thorough explanations and respond sincerely.
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- (Author: Shimpei Okuhara, The Sankei Shimbun)