Japan’s Justice Minister Midori Matsushima has resigned, hours after the resignation of Trade and Industry Minister Yuko Obuchi.
Matsushima had been accused by the opposition of violating election laws. Obuchi is alleged to have misused funds from her political support groups and other donations.
Correspondents say the resignations are a major setback for PM Shinzo Abe, who wants to bring more women into the top levels of government.
Abe said he took responsibility for having appointed both women, and that they would be replaced within a day. Both are members of his governing conservative Liberal Democratic Party.
Obuchi, 40, was one of five women appointed by Abe in his cabinet reshuffle last month and was tipped by some as a future prime minister. Continue..
But allegations emerged last week that her staff had misused thousands of dollars of campaign funds.
Obuchi has not acknowledged personal wrongdoing, but at a televised press conference on Monday, she said she was resigning because “we cannot let economic policy and energy policy stagnate… because of my problems”.
“I take seriously the impact I have caused,” she said. She also apologised for being unable to contribute to key goals set by Abe, including economic recovery and “a society where women shine”.
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