The government crisis in Japan has come to a head with the third resignation of the minister within a few weeks.
Interior Minister Minoru Terada handed in his resignation to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida yesterday. The minister has been criticized for several financing scandals. This is another setback for Kishida.
His approval ratings have already plummeted after deep ties between politicians from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Unification Church were revealed following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July. The group, which was founded in South Korea in 1954 by Sun Myung Moon, who was revered as the Messiah, is viewed by critics as a sect.
Kishida: I feel responsible
Kishida said he accepted Terada’s resignation. Asked about the fact that three ministers have already resigned since October 24, Kishida said he wanted to apologize. “I feel very responsible,” he told journalists. Terada’s successor is scheduled to be appointed today. Former Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto is the favorite for the post.
