# New farm minister apologizes over donation scandal

> Japan's new agriculture minister admits receiving political donation from contractor.
- Title: New farm minister apologizes over donation scandal | Shortify
- Summary: Japan's new agriculture minister admits receiving political donation from contractor. Japan's newly appointed farm minister apologizes for allegedly taking a…
- Keywords: japan, arata takebe, political funds, liberal democratic party, public works, election law, news, politics, world, farm, minister, apologizes
- Source: The Japan Times — https://japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/10/21/japan/politics/new-farm-minister-scandal
- Author: No Author
- Published: 2026-10-21T08:45:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: japan, arata takebe, political funds, liberal democratic party, public works, election law, news, politics, world
## New farm minister apologizes
Agriculture minister Arata Takebe apologized for allegedly receiving a political donation from a public works contractor during election campaigning.

> I instructed relevant officials to promptly investigate the facts and take action to return the money or correct the political funds disclosure report accordingly
## Donation reported
Bunshun Online reported a district branch of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in Hokkaido headed by Takebe received a political donation from a local contractor engaged in national public works.
## Donation timing
The donation was made on the first day of official campaigning for the 2014 election of the House of Representatives, potentially violating the public offices election law.
## Takebe's explanation
Takebe said he didn't know the company had won a national public works project at the time the donation was received.

> I didn't know the company had won a national public works project at the time the donation was received
## Takebe's appointment
Takebe took office only last week, succeeding Kazuo Yana who resigned on Oct. 14 over remarks on cutting municipal budgets and free shuttle buses for supporters.
## Prime Minister's instruction
After the Bunshun Online report, Takebe said Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed him to confirm facts and provide a proper report.
## Key takeaway

Japan's newly appointed farm minister apologizes for allegedly taking a political donation from a public works contractor during election campaigning.