Japan Cabinet minister resigns over Unification Church ties
Japan’s economy minister resigned over his ties to the Unification Church in a widening controversy involving dozens of governing party lawmakers
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s economy minister submitted his resignation Monday over ties to the Unification Church after facing mounting criticism in a widening controversy involving dozens of governing party lawmakers.
Daishiro Yamagiwa’s resignation is a further blow to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government, which has been rocked by his party's close ties to the controversial South Korean-based church following the assassination of former leader Shinzo Abe in July.
Yamagiwa faced opposition lawmakers' growing demands for his resignation after he repeatedly said he did not remember his past attendance at church meetings during overseas trips and posing for group photos with church leader Hak Ja Han Moon and other executives.
Kishida on Tuesday appointed former Health Minister Shigeyuki Goto to take Yamagiwa’s place as the economy minister.
