Embattled Japan Farm Minister Quits in Effective Dismissal
Jiji Press (October 14, 2026) - Japanese agriculture minister Kazuo Yana, mired in a series of scandals including suspected election law violations, resigned effective today, dealing a significant blow to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration.
Yana submitted his resignation to Takaichi during a meeting at the prime minister's office in Tokyo. The prime minister accepted the resignation.
This is the first cabinet member to step down due to scandal since Takaichi's administration began in October 2025. The move, just a month after a cabinet reshuffle on September 17, is expected to severely impact Takaichi, with opposition parties likely to question her responsibility for appointing Yana.
Takaichi stated that she accepted Yana's resignation because the government "needs to focus on important issues," referencing proposed legislation to cut the consumption tax on food. She expressed serious consideration of her role in his appointment. Takaichi plans to select Yana's successor as early as tomorrow.
Yana himself explained to reporters that he decided to resign as he believed he "should not hinder parliamentary deliberations further" and "should avoid not being able to focus on agricultural and fishery policy."
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
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