Japan defence minister quits over peacekeepers’ coverup
TOKYO — Japan’s defence minister resigned Friday, saying she accepted the responsibility for a coverup in which her ministry concealed records of Japanese U.N. peacekeepers’ activities and dangers they faced in South Sudan.
It was the latest blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s scandal-stricken government. Tomomi Inada was Abe’s protege and her resignation came just days before the prime minister was expected to reshuffle his Cabinet in hopes of resurrecting his sagging public approval ratings.
“As defence minister, whose job is to oversee the organization, I feel serious responsibility over this,” she said. “I’m stepping down.”
Inada said the results of an investigation showed her ministry had covered up some military records documenting worsening security conditions for Japanese peacekeeping troops in South Sudan during major clashes last summer.