In a fresh setback for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida‘s administration, Japanese Deputy Finance Minister Kenji Kanda stepped down on Monday following revelations of his delinquency on tax payments. Kanda, who served as the state minister of finance in charge of government bonds and monetary policy, resigned to prevent the issue from disrupting parliamentary debates, particularly concerning a 13.1 trillion yen ($86.34 billion) supplementary budget.
Kanda’s private firm, as reported by Shukan Bunshun magazine, had a history of repeatedly failing to pay taxes, with authorities foreclosing on a company building four times. Confirming the accuracy of the report, Kanda became the third official to leave a ministerial post in just two months since Prime Minister Kishida’s cabinet reshuffle aimed at improving sagging public approval ratings.
Addressing the issue, Kanda stated, “I resigned because I did not want to cause any trouble to parliamentarians who are in the middle of important debates. I feel deeply responsible.” His departure comes at a critical juncture as the legislature prepares to discuss the supplementary budget crucial for the government’s economic package.
This incident adds to the challenges faced by Prime Minister Kishida, whose approval ratings continue to decline. Recent polls, including one by broadcaster FNN, revealed a record low approval rate of 27.8% for Kishida’s cabinet, down 7.8 points from the previous month. Public dissatisfaction with the government’s economic relief and stimulus measures, such as tax cuts and financial support for low-income households, further underscores the need for effective policies to regain public trust.
Hirokazu Matsuno, the top government spokesperson, acknowledged the seriousness of the resignations, stating, “The government takes the resignations very seriously and will do its utmost to address the pressing issues in order to regain the trust of the public.”
As Prime Minister Kishida grapples with a series of setbacks, the focus now turns to how the government plans to navigate the challenges and regain the confidence of the Japanese public.
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