Chieko Nono

Hachiro made the claim after Nono made contradictory statements during an Oct. 19 Lower House Budget Committee session to investigate a shady donation to the governing Liberal-Democratic Party's largest faction.

"She lacks the qualifications to be a Cabinet member. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi who appointed her should take responsibility and replace the justice minister," Hachiro said at a news conference.

When asked if she had been briefed about a prosecutors' investigation into the donation from the Japan Dental Association, Nono initially declined to comment. She then changed her mind and said she had been briefed by officials but could not discuss what she was told.

A few minutes later, she insisted she had not been briefed.

This continued for some 30 minutes before Nono confirmed that she had been briefed, and then declined to give details.

Nono, a former nurse, is regarded as an expert on health and welfare issues, not legal affairs.

The Japan Times Weekly: Oct. 30, 2004
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