Japan trade minister resigns over donation scandal: media

[TOKYO] Japan's new trade minister said on Friday he had submitted his resignation after being accused of violating election law by offering voters money and gifts, local media said.

Isshu Sugawara has been in the hot seat after a magazine reported he was suspected of paying 20,000 yen (S$252) to a bereaved family in his constituency and of giving gifts to other voters.

The amounts, while small, would constitute a violation of Japan's public office election law.

Mr Sugawara submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after a cabinet meeting, public broadcaster NHK reported.

Jiji Press agency quoted Mr Sugawara as saying "it is not my intention that parliamentary debate stall (because of the scandal)."

Mr Sugawara was appointed in a recent cabinet reshuffle but has not taken over the key portfolio of handling trade negotiations with the United States.

That task remains the purview of former trade minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who now serves as foreign minister.

AFP