TOKYO, October 20 (RIA Novosti) – Japanese Justice Minister Midori Matsushima resigned Monday after being accused by the opposition of violating election laws by distributing paper fans to voters.
Matsushima made the move the same day Trade and Industry Minister Yuko Obuchi quit following allegations that her staff had misused thousands of dollars of campaign funds.
"I appointed them and as prime minister, I take responsibility. I deeply apology to the people of the nation," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters Monday.
The prime minister added that he would like to pick their successors within the same day.
