Scandal-hit reconstruction minister dismissed in blow to Japan PM Kishida

Japan's scandal-hit reconstruction minister Kenya Akiba stepped down on Tuesday, effectively dismissed by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida over scandals in a fresh blow to his Cabinet that has seen four of its members forced to leave their ministerial posts within around two months.Kishida has tapped Hiromichi Watanabe, who served as reconstruction minister between 2018 and 2019, as Akiba's successor, the prime minister told reporters after Akiba handed in his resignation."I take it seriously and my responsibility for having appointed the minister," the prime minister said.Akiba, who has been e…READ FULL ARTICLE