Japanese Economy Minister To Resign Over Ties With Ex - Unification Church
Japanese Economic Revitalization Minister Yamagiwa Daishiro has handed in his resignation to Prime Minister Kishida Fumio after a series of revelations about his links with the religious group previously known as the Unification Church.
Yamagiwa met Kishida on Monday evening to express his intention to step down.
He has been criticized for his ties with the religious group, which is under scrutiny for dubious marketing practices and for soliciting large donations from followers.
Yamagiwa had said he does not remember ever attending the group's meetings or posing for a photo with its current leader, Han Hak-ja.
But people outside the LDP came forward with evidence contradicting his claims.
Although opposition parties had called for his dismissal, Yamagiwa told a Diet session earlier on Monday that he would keep explaining his position.
His decision to step down appears to be aimed at deflecting criticism from the government.
The six-time lawmaker got his first Cabinet post as economic revitalization minister in October last year and retained his post in a reshuffle in August.
Yamagiwa has been in charge of Prime Minister Kishida's economic policy of a "new form of capitalism," as well as coronavirus measures.