Japan's Reconstruction Minister Akiba Kenya has refused to step down from his Cabinet post amid calls from the opposition camp that he resign.
The Liberal Democrat has been mired in scandals over a possible election violation, political funds and alleged links to the controversial religious group formerly known as the Unification Church.
Japan's Reconstruction Minister Akiba Kenya has refuted a report that he allegedly violated the election law during the Lower House election campaign in October last year.
Online magazine Friday Digital reported on Wednesday that Akiba provided remuneration to his state-paid secretaries for assistance during his campaign. In addition, it said that his election expenditure report included costs for distribution of leaflets, which is also not allowed.
An NHK opinion poll shows that the approval rate for Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide's Cabinet dropped to 42 percent, down 14 points from last month. The disapproval rate rose to 36 percent, up 17 points.
The telephone survey was conducted over the weekend. More than 1,200 people responded.
The Japanese government says former agriculture minister and senior Liberal Democrat, Nishikawa Koya, stepped down as special advisor to the cabinet on Tuesday.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu told reporters he heard that Nishikawa had offered to resign, citing personal reasons.
Japan's Cabinet has endorsed a bill to make coronavirus vaccinations free and to offer free care for health problems the vaccines may cause.
The Japanese government has agreed with US and British pharmaceutical firms to receive supplies of vaccines they may develop. It plans to begin inoculations in the first half of 2021.
An NHK opinion poll shows that the approval rating for Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide's Cabinet has dropped 7 points to 55 percent. The disapproval rating has risen 7 points to 20 percent.
NHK telephoned 2,236 randomly chosen people aged 18 or older over a three-day period starting on Friday. Fifty-seven percent, or 1,284 people, responded.
The latest NHK opinion poll shows that Japan's new Cabinet led by Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has an approval rating of 62 percent.
The survey conducted by telephone on Monday and Tuesday targeted 2,214 people. Of those polled, 1,270 people, or 57 percent, responded.
Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has instructed his Cabinet to accelerate work to submit a bill to set up a new government agency in charge of digitalization during the Diet session that opens early next year.
The first meeting on one of the prime minister's signature policies was held on Wednesday. All the Cabinet ministers took part.
Japan's new prime minister Suga Yoshihide has spent his first full day in the country's top job. He and his newly minted ministers wasted no time getting down to business.
Suga said, "My cabinet is ready to serve the people. We will try to deliver tangible results and live up to their expectations."
One day after Suga Yoshihide became Japan's Prime Minister, he and his cabinet members got down to business.
Suga said, "I am determined to work hard for the Japanese people and will try to live up to their expectations."
Japan's new Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide says his cabinet is in full swing and ready to get down to business on its first full day in office.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday morning, Suga said, "I am determined to work hard for the Japanese people and will try to live up to their expectations."
Japan's new Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has announced a new Cabinet and pledged to address priorities including regulatory reform, and push forward with policies of the former government.
Suga selected the Cabinet members after he was chosen as Japan's 99th prime minister in the Diet on Wednesday.
More than half of Suga Yoshihide's cabinet ministers were part of an Abe government -- a reflection of the new leader's intentions to continue his predecessor's policies.
Aso Taro will stay on as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister. He has been in the position for more than seven years.
The chairman of the Japan Business Federation has expressed hope for the Cabinet of newly-elected Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide.
Nakanishi Hiroaki released a statement on Wednesday. He said he wants to praise the new Cabinet lineup as it can execute reforms across a wide range of areas without being restricted by precedents.