Two of the five women in the Japanese Cabinet resigned on Monday due to money scandals, less than two months after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reshuffled his Cabinet.
Justice Minister Midori Matsushima tendered her resignation, hours after Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yuko Obuchi stepped down, Abe told reporters.
Matsushima had been accused by the opposition of violating election laws by distributing paper fans bearing her name to voters, which could count as a donation banned under the law, while Obuchi resigned to take responsibility for alleged misuse of funds from her political support groups and other donations.
The double resignations are a huge blow to Abe, who wants to enhance women's roles as part of a growth strategy. "I am the person who appointed them. As prime minister, I feel responsibility for this and deeply apologize for this situation," Abe, who reshuffled his Cabinet last month, told reporters. "I will choose their replacements today," he added.
After submitting a resignation letter to Abe earlier in the day, the 40-year-old Obuchi, daughter of a former prime minister, admitted at a press conference that she failed to properly oversee the spending by her support groups. "I take seriously the impact I have caused. I sincerely apologize for being unable to contribute at all to the government's policy initiatives, including economic revival and realization of a society in which women shine," Obuchi said.