Economic policy concerns for Japan as two controversial ministers resign on same day
Two of Japan’s female ministers stepped down on Monday, breaking a nearly two-year run without any resignations from Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet.
Both ministers have been accused of corruption. Midori Matsushima, the justice minister, is alleged to have violated election laws while trade and industry minister Yuko Obuchi is embroiled in allegations she misused political funds.
As reasoning for her resignation, Obuchi claimed: “We cannot let economic policy and energy policy stagnate... because of my problems.”
"I take seriously the impact I have caused.”
Abe sought to structure his economic policy with the promotion of women’s rights, aiming for 30% of leadership positions to be held by women by 2020.
He also made a point of seating women in high profile government positions.
Tokyo professor of political science at Chuo University Steven Reed told Bloomberg: “This is the first real bump in the road for Abe, who has been doing well, keeping support rates high even though his policies are not that popular.”
He added: “One of his ways of distracting people from his less popular policies is no longer a distraction.”
The prime minister has announced he will find replacements for the two ministers within 24 hours, and apologised to the public.
Obuchi added her regret that she was unable to aid the government more effectively in its endeavour to create “a society where women shine” in economic recovery.
Approval ratings had risen for Abe after he inducted five women into his cabinet on 3 September but a poll conducted by Kyodo News this weekend showed a 6.8% drop since that date.
However, executive director Katsuhiko Nakamura from Tokyo think tank Asian forum Japan, also told Bloomberg: "The Abe administration has made few mistakes so far and I’m not sure the opposition has the momentum to use this to force him to resign."