Kishida To Replace Justice Minister Hanashi Amid Criticism

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has confirmed his intention to replace Justice Minister Yasuhiro Hanashi over his inappropriate comments regarding his position and the death penalty, local media outlets report.

• The Justice Minister is set to be ousted despite intimating his intention to stay in a testimony to lawmakers earlier today. Morning press reports suggested that there was growing momentum within the Liberal Democratic Party behind the push to replace him.
• Hanashi will be the second Cabinet member to step down in just one month, following the resignation of Economic Revitalisation Minister Yamagiwa. High turnover among Cabinet members bodes ill for the stability of the executive.
• Sankei notes that keeping Hanashi as minister would draw increased criticism from the opposition, slowing parliamentary debate on the recently announced extra budget, which was a concern for Prime Minister Kishida.
• Yomiuri reports that Kishida wants to arrange Hanashi's replacement in short order, before he departs for his nine-day Southeast Asia trip later today.