Two of five female ministers in
the Japanese cabinet stepped down Monday after each was hit by a
separate scandal.
The resignations of Economy Minister Yuko Obuchi and
Justice Minister Midori Matsushima dealt a hard blow to the
government of Premier Shinzo Abe, who apologized to the public.
"I was the one who called them," said Abe in a press
conference. "I take responsibility and deeply apologize".
Obuchi is suspected of having spent the equivalent of
roughly 74,000 euros from 2007 to 2012 on beauty products rather
than political activities. Masushima is accused of violating
electoral law by distributing flyers with her picture and name
to voters in her constituency.
Abe said replacement ministers would be announced Monday.
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