Abe Vows to Retain Minister Katayama

November 7, 2018

Tokyo--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday vowed to keep Regional Revitalization Minister Satsuki Katayama in her post as she faces allegations of cash-for-influence.

"I hope she will continue to perform her duty," Abe said at a Budget Committee meeting of the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of parliament.

"While fulfilling her accountability to avoid providing people with a sense of distrust, she needs to straighten herself up," Abe said.

On a bill to revise the immigration control law to accept more foreign workers in Japan, Justice Minister Takashi Yamashita said the government will come up with a comprehensive package of measures by the end of this year to help them live in the country.

The government needs to consider support for all foreigners in Japan, including workers who will be newly accepted, Yamashita said.

Abe said the government will establish a system to address a possible increase in medical expenses after more foreigners are accepted. Jiji Press