Japan Kishida: “He will continue to perform his duties” and will not be sacked
Japan’s Defense Minister withdraws remarks… Denial of resignation: “Continued to perform duties”
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will not fire Japan’s Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, who was embroiled in controversy after he mentioned during the election campaign that supporting the ruling Liberal Democratic Party was giving back to the Self-Defense Forces.
According to the Mainichi Shimbun and Nippon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on the 17th, Prime Minister Kishida told reporters at the Prime Minister’s residence the previous day regarding Defense Minister Kihara’s remarks, “The Minister of Defense himself ‘expressed his respect and gratitude to the Self-Defense Force officers and their families.’ An explanation was given to this effect. “He explained that if it caused misunderstanding, he would withdraw,” he said.
Prime Minister Kishida indicated that he would not be sacked, saying, “I believe he will continue to perform his duties.”
Previously, on the 15th, Defense Minister Kihara attended a campaign rally for the Liberal Democratic Party candidate for the Nagasaki 4th district by-election in the House of Representatives (House of Representatives) held in Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture. Here, “Supporting the Liberal Democratic Party candidate. “This is a reward for the hard work of the Self-Defense Forces and their families.”
In response, the opposition party criticized, saying, “The Self-Defense Forces were used politically.” There were also voices calling for his dismissal.
Then, Defense Minister Kihara withdrew his remarks on the 16th.
Afterwards, on the 17th, Defense Minister Kihara denied his resignation at a press conference, saying, “I will continue to perform my duties with a sense of tension.” He emphasized, “It is my responsibility to do my best on important tasks, including fundamentally strengthening our defense capabilities.”
He explained his controversial remarks by saying, “I was expressing my respect and gratitude to the SDF officers and their families.” “Of course, there is no intention to use the Self-Defense Forces politically. “I have withdrawn my remarks,” he said.
It has only been one month since Defense Minister Kihara took office. On the 13th of last month, he was inaugurated as Minister of Defense during Prime Minister Kishida’s cabinet reshuffle.
Defense Minister Kihara belongs to the Motegi faction, the third faction of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
According to the Sankei Shimbun, Toshimitsu Motegi, leader of the Motegi faction and secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party, criticized Defense Minister Kihara’s remarks at a press conference on the 17th, saying, “It is natural that the Self-Defense Forces are politically neutral.”
Secretary General Motegi said, “Kihara has been in office for about a month, but he is doing a good job. There is a lot of trust from employees. “Under the increasingly stringent security environment, please respond to your duties with all your might,” he said, supporting Defense Minister Kihara.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.