Reuters: Japan defense minister quits amid plunging support for PM
TOKYO (Reuters) - Embattled Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi Inada on Friday said she was resigning, after a series of gaffes, missteps and a cover-up at her ministry that have contributed to a sharp plunge in public support for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Inada, 58, an Abe protege who shares his conservative views, had already expected to be replaced in a likely cabinet reshuffle next week that Abe hopes will help repair his ratings.
Support for the prime minister has sunk below 30 percent in some polls, due to scandals over suspected cronyism and a view among many voters that he and his aides took them for granted.
Speaking to reporters after Inada announced her resignation at a separate news conference, Abe apologized "to the people from my heart".
He said Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida would add the defense portfolio to his duties, to eliminate any gap at a time when Japan faces tough security challenges, such as volatile North Korea.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: From being a rising star a year ago to this .... not a good end to Defence Minister Tomomi Inada's career.
More News On The Resignation Of Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada
Japan’s Defense Minister Resigns, in Blow to Shinzo Abe -- New York Times
Japan's Defense Minister Inada Resigns Over Military Cover-Up -- Bloomberg
Inada makes resignation official; Kishida to take on defense role for now -- Japan Times
Japanese defence minister to resign over South Sudan cover-up claims -- The Guardian
Japan Defence Minister Tomomi Inada announces resignation, PM Shinzo Abe apologises for scandal -- Straits Times
Japan Defense Minister Resigns Amid Sudan Peacekeeping Mission Scandal -- Sputnik
No comments:
Post a Comment