Japanese Forest Minister Killed Himself

Japanese Forest Minister Killed Himself



May 2007 -   Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and 
Fisheries Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka commited suicide on Monday in 
Tokyo, the Metropolitan Police Department said. His death sent shockwaves 
through the Japanese government as he was the first Japanese cabinet 
minister to have killed himself since World War II. 
Matsuoka, 62, hanged himself in in the living room of his residence in a 
parliamentary housing building in Tokyo's Akasaka District hours before he 
was to be questioned in parliament over allegations of bid-rigging for 
public works. 
He was taken to Keio University Hospital, where his death was confirmed at 
about 2 pm. 
Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka 

Opposition parties have criticized Matsuoka for failing to give a clear 
explanation of more than 20 million yen claimed as utility expenses for 
five years until 2005 for his office in the Diet members' building, 
although he used a cost-free official parliamentary office. 
More recently, it was revealed that Matsuoka's office took a political 
donation from construction firms that received a contract for work 
tendered by the semi-governmental Japan Green Resources Agency. 
Prosecutors raided a Kumamoto Prefecture office of the Japan Green 
Resources Agency in late May, seeking evidence that the bidding for the 
construction job was rigged. Matsuoka represented the Kumamoto Prefecture 
in the House of Representatives. 
Matsuoka had repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. 
The four year old Japan Green Resources Agency is engaged in the 
construction and improvement of forestry roads "to utilize abundant forest 
resources," the creation of forests "to conserve water resources," and the 
improvement of farmland and agricultural infrastructure. 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki told a press conference Monday 
that Environment Minister Masatoshi Wakabayashi has replaced Matsuoka as 
acting agriculture minister on a temporary basis. 
Environment Minister Masatoshi Wakabayashi 
"The fact is, an appropriate person to take his place may not be easily 
found," Shiozaki said. 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters, "As he was a competent minister 
of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, the effects on the administration 
will be significant." 
The premier said he is keenly aware of his "responsibility" for Matsuoka's 
action as the one who appointed the lawmaker of his Liberal Democratic 
Party to the Cabinet post. Matsuoka assumed his post last September, when 
Abe took office. 
A by-election to fill Matsuoka's seat will be held on the same day as the 
upper house election, now believed to be July 22, according to the 
government. 
Matsuoka was a graduate of the agriculture department of Tottori 
University, and he worked for the agriculture ministry before entering 
politics. 
He was elected to the Lower House six times and served as the chairman of 
the Lower House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and 
parliamentary vice minister and senior vice minister for agriculture, 
forestry and fisheries. 
Condolences came in from around the world. 
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said, "I was saddened to learn 
today of the death of Japanese agricultural minister Matsuoka. Since 
coming into office last fall, he had worked to resolve trade challenges, 
which brought us together on several occassions. He ably represented 
Japan's agricultural interests. My condolences to Minister Matsuoka's 
family and to the people of Japan."    

       
      

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