Japan's farm minister defends himself amid shuttle-bus and budget controversy

In a parliamentary session, farm minister Kazuo Yana defended the provision of free shuttle buses to his supporters during a past lower-house election, arguing they were meant to aid elderly voters in an area with scarce public transport and did not constitute illegal benefits. He also responded to reports that he had warned of drastic road-budget cuts for two municipalities whose mayors supported his opponent, saying he neither ordered the cuts nor recalled making the comments, while apologising for any offense caused.

The allegations were highlighted by Shukan Bunshun, which also claimed Yana used harsh language toward reporters in Kumamoto Prefecture. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced Yana would stay on as farm minister, even as opposition parties consider a censure motion that could be filed in the Senate. In a related development, education minister Yoshihiro Seki confessed to hosting political fundraising events inside parliamentary office facilities in 2020 and 2024, acknowledging the breach of internal rules. Both ministers were appointed in a September cabinet reshuffle following disciplinary action against LDP members over a 2023 slush-fund scandal.