LDP’s Takaki Shirasuka resigns after visit to hostess club during state of emergency
By Tokyo Reporter Staff on February 18, 2021
TOKYO (TR) – The Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) Takaki Shirasuka resigned from the party on Wednesday after the emergence of a report detailing his visit to a hostess club earlier this month.
According to the site of tabloid
Shukan Bunshun, Shirasuka was in the company of a woman when he visited the club, located in the Azabu Juban area of Minato Ward, between 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on February 10.
Before that, the lawmaker dined at a French restaurant in Akasaka. He then took a taxi to Azabu Juban. Photographs published by the site showed him at an elevator with a woman.
Another Japan ruling party lawmaker quits over nightlife venue visit kyodonews.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kyodonews.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Feb 3, 2021
OSAKA – Four months into his term as prime minister, Yoshihide Suga is facing a mountain of problems and low approval ratings. From controversial new legislation aimed at bringing the coronavirus under control to the fate of the Tokyo Olympics to scandals within his party, Suga’s leadership ability and style is under increased scrutiny and criticism. As his term expires in September and a general election must be held by October, how he handles these problems over the next few months could determine his political fate this autumn.
The most pressing issues Suga faces start with effectively implementing the soon-to-be-passed
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, left, attends a news conference in Tokyo on Feb. 2 while Shigeru Omi, chairman of the government’s subcommittee on the novel coronavirus, speaks to reporters. (Kotaro Ebara)
Despite his earlier vow to stop the spread of infections within one month without fail, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Feb. 2 extended the COVID-19 state of emergency until March 7 for 10 prefectures.
Initially, the state of emergency was set to expire on Feb. 7.
The government intends to continue and thoroughly enforce its current measures such as asking food service operators to shorten their hours. But would that be really enough for containing the virus and allowing the state of emergency to be lifted by March 7?