Japan female ministers resign over cash scandals

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe suffered a double setback Monday with the resignations of two female cabinet ministers over claims they misused political funds, dealing a blow to his proclaimed gender reform drive. Industry minister Yuko Obuchi and justice minister Midori Matsushima quit after days of allegations that they had misspent money in what opponents insisted was an attempt to buy votes. Their loss reduces to three the number of women in the cabinet, after Abe’s widely-praised move in September to promote a record-tying five to his administration.

As Ms Obuchi was symbolic of women having an active role, I think there will be damage (to the government).

Sadakazu Tanigaki, secretary-general

Obuchi’s downfall started last week when reports emerged that she had spent political funds on make-up and accessories as gifts for supporters. The claims, which were priced at tens of millions of yen (hundreds of thousands of dollars) over several years, were taken as evidence of attempted vote buying. The double resignations are the first significant problem for Abe since he swept to power in December 2012, ending years of fragile governments that swapped prime ministers on an annual basis.

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