Japanci nemaju smisla za humor
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Japan's justice minister has resigned after joking that his job was "too easy" because he could fob off parliament inquiries with just a few stock phrases.
Minoru Yanagida stepped down eight days after telling supporters that he could evade tough questions. He said: "Being justice minister is easy because I only ever have to remember two phrases, which I can use whenever I am stuck for an answer to a question in parliament."
The only replies he used: "I refrain from making comments on a specific issue" and "We are dealing with the matter based on laws and evidence."
Mr Yanagida was elevated to the post of justice minister in the cabinet reshuffle two months ago. He has handled issues including public prosecutors allegedly destroying evidence and the detention of a Chinese fishing boat captain who was intercepted by the coast guard near the disputed Senkaku Islands.
Katsuya Okada, party secretary general, told reporters that Yanagida's comments were "not appropriate."
"He may have said those things half-jokingly, but even so, he can't get away with it," he said.
His unguarded comments immediately triggered demands for his resignation. The opposition was preparing a motion of censure.
The media also called for Mr Yanagida to go. The Asahi newspaper said his comments underlined the "deplorable state" of Japanese politics.
"His controversial quip was tantamount to a confession that he had sought refuge in these convenient phrases because he, unexpectedly appointed to the Cabinet post, does not have the ability to offer sensible answers to questions," the paper said.
Yanagida announced his resignation and said he regretted his remarks. He said: "Given that my indiscreet remark in Hiroshima is becoming an obstacle, I have conveyed my resignation to the prime minister."
Mr Yanagida is not the only minister in trouble for a controversial comment as Yoshito Sengoku, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, had to apologise in parliament last week for describing Japan's Self-Defence Forces as "a mechanism of violence."
Yoshito Sengoku, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, will take on Yanagida's responsibilities until a new justice minister is named and said his colleague's resignation is "regrettable but unavoidable."
Transcripts from parliamentary sessions show Mr Yanagida used his stock answers 33 times.
The opposition Liberal Democratic Party had threatened to block debate on a £33 billion emergency economic stimulus package unless Mr Yanagida resigned, a move that could have forced Naoto Kan, the prime minister, to call a snap general erection.
Minoru Yanagida stepped down eight days after telling supporters that he could evade tough questions. He said: "Being justice minister is easy because I only ever have to remember two phrases, which I can use whenever I am stuck for an answer to a question in parliament."
The only replies he used: "I refrain from making comments on a specific issue" and "We are dealing with the matter based on laws and evidence."
Mr Yanagida was elevated to the post of justice minister in the cabinet reshuffle two months ago. He has handled issues including public prosecutors allegedly destroying evidence and the detention of a Chinese fishing boat captain who was intercepted by the coast guard near the disputed Senkaku Islands.
Katsuya Okada, party secretary general, told reporters that Yanagida's comments were "not appropriate."
"He may have said those things half-jokingly, but even so, he can't get away with it," he said.
His unguarded comments immediately triggered demands for his resignation. The opposition was preparing a motion of censure.
The media also called for Mr Yanagida to go. The Asahi newspaper said his comments underlined the "deplorable state" of Japanese politics.
"His controversial quip was tantamount to a confession that he had sought refuge in these convenient phrases because he, unexpectedly appointed to the Cabinet post, does not have the ability to offer sensible answers to questions," the paper said.
Yanagida announced his resignation and said he regretted his remarks. He said: "Given that my indiscreet remark in Hiroshima is becoming an obstacle, I have conveyed my resignation to the prime minister."
Mr Yanagida is not the only minister in trouble for a controversial comment as Yoshito Sengoku, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, had to apologise in parliament last week for describing Japan's Self-Defence Forces as "a mechanism of violence."
Yoshito Sengoku, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, will take on Yanagida's responsibilities until a new justice minister is named and said his colleague's resignation is "regrettable but unavoidable."
Transcripts from parliamentary sessions show Mr Yanagida used his stock answers 33 times.
The opposition Liberal Democratic Party had threatened to block debate on a £33 billion emergency economic stimulus package unless Mr Yanagida resigned, a move that could have forced Naoto Kan, the prime minister, to call a snap general erection.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/new...esigns-after-easy-remarks.html
