Isshu Sugawara steps down on allegations that he violated election law just a month after his appointment to the post.
Isshu Sugawara, who was appointed as Japan’s economy minister in September, said he did not want his ‘problems to slow down parliament deliberations’ [File: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg](Al Jazeera News) -Japan’s Trade Minister Isshu Sugawara resigned on Friday, following accusations that he violated election campaign laws by giving gifts including expensive melons and crabs to voters, and offering a supporter’s family condolence money.
His resignation, which was accepted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, comes just a month after he took up the key post that involved handling a trade dispute with neighbouring South Korea.