Global

Japan Minister Resigns after Criticism Over Death Penalty Remarks

Japan’s justice minister stepped down on Friday after facing criticism for reportedly saying his “low-profile” position only generates media coverage when he approves the death penalty.

Yasuhiro Hanashi’s resignation serves a further blow to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government, which is already facing plummeting approval ratings.

And it comes just weeks after the minister for economic revitalisation quit following scrutiny over his links to the Unification Church.

Hanashi reportedly said at a party with lawmakers this week that his job was “a low-profile position that only makes headlines on the midday news after giving the stamp of approval for the death penalty in the morning”.

Japan is one of the few developed countries to retain the death penalty, and public support for capital punishment remains high despite international criticism.

As he announced his resignation on Friday, Hanashi, who has been in the post since August, and has not overseen any executions — said he had spoken “carelessly”.

Kishida had been due to leave in the afternoon for a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Cambodia, but he delayed his departure until 1 am to appoint a replacement for Hanashi.

“I take my own responsibility for appointing him in the first place seriously. By tackling challenges ahead, I would like to fulfil my duties,” Kishida said.

The government’s low approval ratings are partly due to controversy over politicians’ ties to the Unification Church.

The sect has been in the spotlight since reports emerged that the man accused of killing former prime minister Shinzo Abe resented the organisation over donations his mother made that bankrupted the family.

The church, officially known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, has denied wrongdoing.

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Matt Gaetz To Exit Congress Following Withdrawal As DOJ Nominee Amid Controversy

Matt Gaetz has said he will not return to Congress after withdrawing as Trump’s DOJ…

2 hours ago

Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval For Oluyede As Chief Of Army Staff

President Tinubu has sought Senate confirmation of Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Army Staff, citing…

3 hours ago

Netanyahu Risks Arrest in UK as ICC Issues Warrant Against Him For War Crimes

Israeli PM Netanyahu faces potential arrest in the UK as Downing Street pledges to fulfill…

5 hours ago

Second Australian Teen Dies from Suspected Methanol Poisoning in Laos

A second Australian teenager has died of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, bringing to six…

5 hours ago

Simon Ekpa Arrested, Denies Being IPOB Leader + Atiku Says Tinubu’s Loans Are Bone-Crushing – Trending With Ojy Okpe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFlFl1mPGC8 The arrest of self-proclaimed Prime minister of the Biafra Republic, Simon Ekpa who was…

6 hours ago

Gatwick Airport South Terminal Evacuated, Bomb Disposal Team Deployed Suspicious Item Found In Luggage

Gatwick Airport's South Terminal was evacuated after a suspected prohibited item was found, prompting bomb…

6 hours ago