Tokyo

Isshu Sugawara, Japan’s new trade minister said Friday he had resigned after accusations surfaced of him violating election law by offering voters money and gifts, reports published in the Japanese media said.

The resignation came after a magazine report revealed that Sugawara was suspected of paying 20,000 yen ($185) to a bereaved family in his constituency.

The magazine report said that he offered melons, crabs and other gifts to voters in his electoral district around the year 2007.

The report also suggested that he gave gifts to voters, which is being interpreted as a violation of Japan’s public office election law.

According to public broadcaster NHK, Sugawara submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after a cabinet meeting.

“It is not my intention that parliamentary debate stall (because of the scandal),” he was quoted by Jiji Press agency as saying.

Sugawara was appointed recently but has not taken over the key portfolio of handling trade negotiations with the United States.