2nd Japan minister commits suicide

TOKYO – A former executive leapt to his death yesterday over a big-rigging scam linked to the suicide of Japan’s agriculture minister, fuelling a scandal threatening the beleaguered government.

Shinichi Yamazaki, 76, leapt from his condominium in Yokohama, just south of Tokyo, according to Masamichi Ito, a police official. The death came a day after Agriculture Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka hanged himself in his Tokyo apartment as parliament prepared to question him over a series of scandals that has dogged him since he took office in September.The suicides buffeted the 9-month-old government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe less than two months before he faces a major electoral test in July elections for the upper house of parliament.Abe convened his Cabinet yesterday in a bid to regroup amid new poll numbers showing support for his government at a new low, and editorials in top papers criticising the spread of money scandals under his watch.”It is deeply regrettable that Minister Matsuoka passed away,” Abe told his Cabinet.”But I ask again each of you to cooperate in working as one in running the government.”Matsuoka, the first serving Cabinet member to kill himself since World War II, allegedly received illicit political donations from contractors with the government-affiliated Japan Green Resources Agency.Yamazaki was also linked to the agency by allegations he fixed bids at a predecessor organization in 2005 and 2006.Police raided his home on Saturday to collect evidence.The suicides are only part of Abe’s woes.Support for Abe’s Cabinet has hit its lowest levels since he took office last year over a fresh scandal involving missing pension payment records for more than 50 million people, who have been unable to get the money they are entitled to receive.Newspaper editorials Tuesday called for the government to address the money scandals head on and revise political financing regulations to prevent a recurrence.Matsuoka had faced criticism over a separate scandal involving suspicious bookkeeping practices, triggering calls for his resignation even from within his own ruling Liberal Democratic Party.Abe refused to fire Matsuoka, however, saying the minister’s funds were properly handled.Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki defended Matsuoka yesterday.”He had repeatedly provided answers in parliament,” Shiozaki said.”No person is in a position to comment on what he did.”Nampa-APThe death came a day after Agriculture Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka hanged himself in his Tokyo apartment as parliament prepared to question him over a series of scandals that has dogged him since he took office in September.The suicides buffeted the 9-month-old government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe less than two months before he faces a major electoral test in July elections for the upper house of parliament.Abe convened his Cabinet yesterday in a bid to regroup amid new poll numbers showing support for his government at a new low, and editorials in top papers criticising the spread of money scandals under his watch.”It is deeply regrettable that Minister Matsuoka passed away,” Abe told his Cabinet.”But I ask again each of you to cooperate in working as one in running the government.”Matsuoka, the first serving Cabinet member to kill himself since World War II, allegedly received illicit political donations from contractors with the government-affiliated Japan Green Resources Agency.Yamazaki was also linked to the agency by allegations he fixed bids at a predecessor organization in 2005 and 2006.Police raided his home on Saturday to collect evidence.The suicides are only part of Abe’s woes.Support for Abe’s Cabinet has hit its lowest levels since he took office last year over a fresh scandal involving missing pension payment records for more than 50 million people, who have been unable to get the money they are entitled to receive.Newspaper editorials Tuesday called for the government to address the money scandals head on and revise political financing regulations to prevent a recurrence.Matsuoka had faced criticism over a separate scandal involving suspicious bookkeeping practices, triggering calls for his resignation even from within his own ruling Liberal Democratic Party.Abe refused to fire Matsuoka, however, saying the minister’s funds were properly handled.Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki defended Matsuoka yesterday.”He had repeatedly provided answers in parliament,” Shiozaki said.”No person is in a position to comment on what he did.”Nampa-AP