News Digest

In blow to PM Abe, Japan trade minister to resign over funds scandal

In a blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan’s newly appointed trade and industry minister plans to resign following reports that some of her support groups misused political funds. Yuko Obuchi, the 40-year-old daughter of a former premier, has told people close to Abe that she plans to quit and will discuss the matter when Abe returns on Saturday afternoon from an Asia-Europe summit in Italy, the Nikkei newspaper said.

I feel that ignorance is no excuse.

Japan’s trade minister Yuko Obuchi, in response to repeated questions at a parliamentary panel

Regarded as a possible future contender to become Japan’s first woman prime minister, Obuchi apologised at a parliamentary panel on Thursday in the wake of the reports of the misuse of funds, which could violate electoral and political funding laws. A Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) spokesman said he was unaware of any plans by Obuchi to quit. METI said later in a media notice that she would cancel a visit to central Japan planned for Saturday to avoid expected “disorder”.