• 

 
On October 25, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
Regarding the resignation of Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Isshu Sugawara, the Prime Minister said,
 
“Earlier, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Sugawara offered his resignation, stating that due to various media reports related to his political funds, the valuable time of the Diet deliberations was spent on his personal affairs and, as there should be no interruption in the field of economy, trade and industries, that situation was not what he intended. I accepted his resignation.
 
The responsibility to have appointed Minister Sugawara lies with me. I wish to apologize to the people of Japan for letting such a situation happen.
 
We cannot afford even the slightest interruptions or delays in our work or policy-making in the field of industrial policy, trade policy, and energy policy. For that reason, I have decided to ask Mr. Hiroshi Kajiyama, who has previously demonstrated great acumen as a Cabinet member, to succeed Minister Sugawara as the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Mr. Kajiyama previously delivered results, working on the revitalization of local businesses and regulatory reforms as Minister of State for Regional Revitalization. I hope that he will make use of that experience and take the lead in the vast field of the economy, trade and industry.”