Japan’s prime minister Shinzo Abe yesterday lost one of the chief architects of his stimulus strategy after his economy minister resigned over allegations he accepted a bribe.
Akira Amari, regarded as the “minister for Abenomics”, has denied pocketing money from a construction company. He said any cash was a legitimate political donation but he would quit to take responsibility for how his office handled the matter.
The scandal is the most serious to hit Mr Abe since he took office in 2012. Mr Amari was Japan’s chief negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and part of the premier’s inner circle. His departure could tip the balance in the government away from economic stimulus towards tighter fiscal policy.