Kishida To Make Decision On Internal Affairs Minister
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio will make a decision soon on whether to dismiss one of his cabinet ministers, who has been under fire over allegations of inaccurate political funding reports.
Internal Affairs Minister Terada Minoru came under scrutiny after media reports claimed a group related to his political funding listed a dead person as his accountant. Terada said it was just an administrative mistake.
Kishida said on Saturday that "the government is working hard to solve pressing issues, such as passing secondary supplementary bills, but that doesn't mean cabinet ministers can get away with not fulfilling their duty to explain issues as requested by the Japanese people."
Opposition parties have been calling on Kishida to replace Terada, saying he is unfit to lead the internal affairs ministry, which oversees the political funds control law.
Even from within Kishida's own Liberal Democratic Party, some are voicing the opinion that Terada needs to further explain the issue or face the consequences.
Two ministers have already resigned under the Kishida Cabinet in just one month.
Economic Revitalization Minister Yamagiwa Daishiro and Justice Minister Hanashi Yasuhiro were forced to step down.
The prime minister apparently wants to avoid Terada becoming the third to resign, but also wants to expedite parliamentary deliberations on crucial bills to prop up the economy.
Kishida is expected to make a decision soon.