Japan PM sacks fourth minister to patch up scandal-hit Cabinet

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has dismissed his fourth minister in two months to patch a scandal-tainted Cabinet that has raised questions over his judgment of staff credentials

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday dismissed his fourth Minister in two months to patch a scandal-tainted Cabinet that has raised questions over his judgment of staff credentials.

Kenya Akiba, Minister In-charge of Reconstruction of Fukushima and other disaster-hit areas, has faced allegations of mishandling political and election funds and of ties to the Unification Church, whose practices and huge donations have raised controversy.

“I have made a heavy decision and submitted my resignation," Mr. Akiba told reporters after meeting with Mr. Kishida. He repeated that he has never violated any law in relation to the issues for which he has been criticized and that he was resigning because he didn't want to trouble the party or stall parliamentary debate because of his presence in the Cabinet.

Mr. Kishida tapped former Reconstruction Minister Hiromichi Watanabe as a replacement. Mr. Watanabe's appointment was to be official after a palace ceremony.

Mr. Akiba's dismissal was seen as Mr. Kishida's attempt to remove an administration's soft spot that could stall upcoming parliamentary work on a key budget bill, including hefty defence spending aimed at bolstering Japan's strike capability.

“I take my responsibility of appointment very seriously,” Mr. Kishida said. “I will keep fulfilling my political responsibility by continuing to tackle a mountain of problems.”

Jun Azumi, a senior lawmaker of the main Opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan who has criticised Mr. Kishida for making other slow decisions on his staff, said that “four (dismissals) are too much and the prime minister should be held responsible over their appointment."