Japan’s Justice Minister Minoru Yanagida resigns

Tokyo, Nov 22 (IBNS) Japan’s Justice Minister Minoru Yanagida on Monday said he is resigning after causing outrage for “joking” about how easy his job was.

Minoru Yanagida said “I would not comment on individual cases, and I am acting in accordance with the law and the evidence,” explaining on his leaving the ministry over a gaffe.

The Opposition conservatives said the minister deserved to be fired for the gaffe.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan had rebuked Yanagida for the remarks, which were uttered in a gathering in his home constituency in Hiroshima Prefecture earlier this month.

Yanagida announced his resignation at a news conference here on Monday morning.

The Opposition had called the minister’s comments an insult to the legislature, and was preparing a censure motion against him.