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Japanese minister 'kills himself' Japanese minister kills himself
(about 8 hours later)
Japan's Agriculture Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka has died in hospital after reportedly committing suicide. Japan's Agriculture Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka has died in hospital after apparently committing suicide.
The 62-year-old was found hanged in his Tokyo apartment hours before he was to face questions in parliament over his links to a political funding scandal.The 62-year-old was found hanged in his Tokyo apartment hours before he was to face questions in parliament over his links to a political funding scandal.
Efforts to resuscitate him at hospital failed. Officials said police were still investigating the cause of death. Opposition MPs had been calling for his resignation over unexplained expenses.
Opposition MPs had been calling for his resignation over unexplained expenses claimed for a rent-free office. PM Shinzo Abe expressed regret over the news saying he was conscious of his "responsibility as prime minister, and as the one who appointed him".
Scandals and gaffes "The effects on the cabinet will be great," Mr Abe added as he went to attend a wake for the deceased minister late on Monday.
"We've confirmed that Agriculture Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka is dead. We are greatly saddened," said government spokesman Yasuhisa Shiozaki. Mr Matsuoka was found unconscious in his flat around lunchtime on Monday. Efforts to resuscitate him at hospital failed.
Mr Matsuoka had allegedly claimed more than 28m yen ($236,600; £118,300) in utility fees at his parliamentary office, where utility costs are free. He denied any wrong-doing. Police said he had hanged himself, but refused to comment on reports in the Japanese press that he had left a number of suicide notes in his apartment.
He had previously refused to explain the expenses to a parliamentary committee but the Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, defended him, saying he had fulfilled his legal responsibilities. It is the first time a Japanese cabinet minister has killed himself since World War II, when the army minister committed suicide on news of Japan's surrender.
Mr Abe's eight-month premiership has been rocked by a series of scandals and gaffes. Funding questions
Support for Japan's government has fallen to its lowest level since he took office, a new poll suggests. Mr Matsuoka was embroiled in two political scandals, though he denied any wrong-doing.
He had allegedly claimed more than 28m yen ($236,600; £118,300) in utility fees at his parliamentary office, where utility costs are free.
It was also alleged that he had received electoral campaign donations from a businessman linked to a bid-rigging scandal.
Mr Abe had vigorously defended his minister, often against the advice of some within his own party, saying he had fulfilled his legal responsibilities.
The BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo says Mr Matsuoka's death is another blow for Mr Abe's government.
Even before news of Mr Matsuoka's death emerged, opinion polls published on Monday suggested support for Mr Abe's administration was already at the lowest point since he took office eight months ago.