Agriculture Minister to step down over money scandal

   Agriculture Minister Endo Takehiko on September 2 decided to resign to take responsibility for a money scandal involving his agricultural mutual aid association.

   Endo’s resignation, only a week after the cabinet reshuffle, comes as a major blow to the Abe Cabinet since it calls into question Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s responsibility for appointing him to the post. Endo’s predecessors Matsuoka Toshikatsu committed suicide and Akagi Norihiko resigned due to corruption scandals.

   The Okitama Agricultural Mutual Aid Association which Endo has headed for a long time fraudulently received 1.15 million yen of government subsidies for its scheme to insure farmers against damages from natural disasters.

   When this fact came to light on September 1, Endo admitted that this was a “serious misconduct” but refused to resign, saying, “Now that I have been appointed as the minister, I will do my best.”

   Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on a TV program on the morning of September 2 demanded that Endo resign or Abe dismiss him.

   Amid the opposition parties’ strong demands for Endo’s resignation, an increasing number of government officials and ruling party members became concerned about the difficulties they will face in the extraordinary Diet session to be convened on September 10 with Endo clinging to the post.

   At a press conference immediately after the cabinet reshuffle, Prime Minister Abe expressed his determination to take a firm stance on cabinet members’ corruptions. After Endo’s scandal came to light, however, Abe failed to take the necessary initiatives in investigating the scandal, and merely stated that Endo should thoroughly explain the facts.

   On the same day, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sakamoto Yukiko also decided to step down over her falsified political funds report that deliberately inflated the numbers.

   Commenting on Endo’s resignation, JCP Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi said that his resignation alone does not solve the issue. Pointing out that Endo’s problem is related to the misuse of tax money and the administration’s way of handling the matter, Ichida stressed that it is essential to thoroughly investigate the scandal and make clear Endo’s political responsibility.

   Ichida criticized the Abe cabinet for failing to put an end to scandals involving cabinet members and staff, and stated that the JCP will thoroughly reveal the extent of corruption and pursue the prime minister’s responsibility for appointing them.                                                                                  - Akahata, September 3, 2007