Melons, crabs and a funeral: Japan’s trade minister resigns

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.

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