Toshikatsu Matsuoka

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Toshikatsu Matsuoka with Mike Johanns on January 11, 2007

Toshikatsu Matsuoka ( Japanese 松岡 利 勝 , Matsuoka Toshikatsu ; born February 25, 1945 in Aso , Kumamoto Prefecture ; † May 28, 2007 in Tokyo ) was a Japanese politician .

Political career

In 1969 he finished his studies in agricultural science at Tottori University and worked from 1969 to 1988 in various positions at the Ministry of Agriculture. Matsuoka had been a member of the House of Commons since 1990 and became a member of the LDP before becoming Minister of Agriculture in September 2006.

Allegations of fraud and suicide

Matsuoka was acting Minister of Agriculture under Prime Minister Abe . He was involved in several financial scandals. He was charged with listing more than € 178,000 (28 million yen ) in fees for his office despite using a parliamentary office that was available to him rent free. In addition, three days after taking office, he apologized for unpublished party donations of around € 6,400.

He committed suicide by hanging on May 28, 2007 , just hours before Parliament's committee should have questioned him about the allegations made against him. Demands for his resignation had already been made against Matsuoka, while the Abe government was facing a massive decline in popularity.

He was succeeded by Norihiko Akagi , who later resigned because of a similar financial scandal.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Cabinet Public Relations Office: Vita Toshikatsu MATSUOKA
  2. ^ The Guardian : Japanese minister commits suicide . May 28, 2007
  3. ↑ CNN .com: Japanese minister found unconscious , May 28, 2007 and Der Spiegel : Minister commits suicide . (May 28, 2007)
personal data
SURNAME Matsuoka, Toshikatsu
ALTERNATIVE NAMES 松岡 利 勝 (Japanese)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Japanese politician
DATE OF BIRTH February 25, 1945
PLACE OF BIRTH Aso , Kumamoto Prefecture
DATE OF DEATH May 28, 2007
Place of death Tokyo