Japan's Kishida loses fourth minister in three months
2 Min Read
Reconstruction Minister Kenya Akiba resigns over alleged financial improprieties, becoming the fourth minister to depart the cabinet in just three months.
-
Japanese Reconstruction Minister Kenya Akiba
Reconstruction Minister Kenya Akiba, member of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's cabinet, resigned on Tuesday over alleged financial improprieties, becoming the fourth minister to depart the cabinet in just three months.
"I believe there is no illegality in terms of my actions," Akiba told reporters, commenting on alleged illegal political payments to his aides, wife and mother.
However, he added that he does not wish "to see proceedings for the budget and other legislative agendas stall."
The minister's resignation comes as Kishida battles some of the lowest approval ratings of his tenure.
The public has become thoroughly disillusioned with the cabinet following a spate of scandals and discoveries about ties between the Unification Church sect and lawmakers.
Last month, Interior Affairs Minister Minoru Terada resigned over several scandals involving campaign money. This was preceded by the justice minister's resignation after reportedly saying his "low-profile" job only generated media coverage when approving death penalty sentences.
Daishiro Yamagiwa, the minister of economic revitalization who faced criticism for alleged ties to the Unification Church, resigned from his position in late October.
Since the death of former prime minister Shinzo Abe in July, the church and its long-standing connections to politicians have been under increased scrutiny.
The public's opinion of the government has also been harmed by the disclosure of tight ties between numerous officials and the church.
The church, known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, has denied wrongdoing.
Approval ratings for Fumio Kishida's cabinet have been hovering near the so-called "danger level" of 30 percent, and speculations have circulated that he could reshuffle his cabinet before the next parliament session opens in January.
