Japan’s scandal-hit defence chief resigns
TOKYO: Japan’s hawkish defence minister resigned yesterday over a long-brewing scandal involving the handling of military documents, in a major political blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Abe, whose popularity plummeted in recent weeks over controversies, including claims he showed favouritism to a friend in a business deal, immediately apologised to the nation over the saga.
“I feel a keen responsibility,” Tomomi Inada told a press conference, where she announced her resignation.
She said the results of an Internal Ministry probe that found that some officials had acted inappropriately “extremely regrettable”.
She said she would return a month’s salary, despite the probe finding she had not been directly involved in the affair.
The chief of staff of Japan’s Ground Self-Defence Force, the army, also resigned, as did the top ranking civil servant in the Defence Ministry.
Abe said Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida would serve as interim defence chief until a replacement for Inada was named.
The shake-up in the top echelon of Japan’s defence establishment comes as the country remains on alert over possible further North Korean missile launches.
Inada, a close confidante of Abe who shares his staunchly nationalist views, was appointed defence minister in August last year, a time when she was touted as a possible future leader.
But, her nearly year-long stint has been characterised by repeated controversy, including criticism of the ministry’s handling of log reports filed by Japanese peacekeepers in South Sudan showing worsening security. The troops, part of a United Nations mission, returned to Japan in May after five years.
Abe, who became prime minister for a second time in December 2012 with a vow to rejuvenate Japan’s economy, has been hit by scandals and gaffes involving members of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
“I apologise from the bottom of my heart to the people for this situation in which a minister resigns,” Abe said.
“All responsibilities lie with me, the prime minister, in the appointment of cabinet ministers,” he said, adding that he “must seriously accept the people’s severe criticism.” AFP