TOKYO: Japan’s Justice Minister Yasuhiro Hanashi has been sacked for his comments on the death penalty. Yasuhiro Hanashi tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday. Former Agriculture Minister Ken Saito was appointed as his replacement. Two days ago, in the party meeting, he made a comment that ‘he is noticed only when he signs the death sentence’.
As the Minister of Justice, it was Hanashi’s responsibility to sign all orders for the hanging of those sentenced to death. He was appointed to the post in August as part of a cabinet reshuffle, but was not given the authority to order executions. It drew criticism from both the opposition and the ruling party. He is the second minister to be sacked. Last month, Daishiro Yamagiwa resigned as the Finance Minister.