Minister Yana, who is under scrutiny for his remarks about budget cuts, did not appear at a meeting he was invited to in Tochigi Prefecture on the 10th. The program interviewed people who know Mr. Yana well. What kind of changes have occurred in his behavior as he has been re-elected? (Saturday Station, October 10th broadcast)

■ Mr. Yana, at the center of controversy, absent from local prefectural federation meeting: "A message would have been better"

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Kazuo Yana (9th)
"I intend to deal with this matter properly so as not to hinder the promotion of agricultural, forestry, and fisheries administration. I sincerely apologize. I am very sorry."

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Kazuo Yana, became the center of controversy less than two weeks after taking office.

Report by Director Masamichi Mizuno (10th, Utsunomiya City)
"There is a meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party's Tochigi Prefectural Federation at this hotel, but Minister Yana, who was invited, will not be attending."

While Chairman Motegi and other related parties arrived one after another, Minister Yana did not appear.

Meeting Attendees:
"Wouldn't it have been better if he hadn't come? It's not good because he wasn't being honest."

Meeting Attendees:
"Wouldn't it have been better if he had some kind of personal message for everyone who has supported him in the prefectural federation?"

■ "Just a Word": Roads "Immediately Improved" - Local Residents Express Gratitude

Regarding Minister Yana's remarks that he "cut the road budgets" of two municipalities that did not support him in the February general election.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Kazuo Yana (9th):
"Naturally, I have never pressured them to reduce (the budget)."

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, which received an inquiry from Minister Yana, stated that "there was no pressure to cut the budget," but it is known that road budgets have actually been cut in these two municipalities.

Report by Director Masamichi Mizuno (10th, Nakagawa Town)
"This is a road where construction has stopped due to budget cuts. The road narrows from the location of the sign."

Local Resident
"It's inconvenient. A lot of people use it. I've had some close calls because cars couldn't pass each other."

While widening work has stalled on some roads, there's an anecdote about another road in the same Nakagawa Town.

Supporter of Minister Yana (9th, Nakagawa Town)
"This road, this section was improved. When Mr. Yana spoke up, the person in charge rushed to fix it."

The road used to be pothole-ridden and bumpy.

Apparently, despite repeated petitions, improvements weren't made, but when they consulted with Mr. Yana, he responded immediately.

Supporter of Minister Yana (9th, Nakagawa Town)
"I'm grateful that he listened to our request and acted immediately."

■Why did this "proud candidate" fail? Changes in Attitude: Numerous Secretaries Resigned

Mr. Yanagi, originally from Tokyo, ran for the Tochigi 3rd district in the 2012 House of Representatives election at the age of 33. What kind of person is he?

Saturday Station interviewed people who knew Mr. Yanagi well.

It is said that his attitude towards those around him changed as he was re-elected two or three times.

Former staff member of Mr. Yanagi's office (9th, Tochigi Prefecture):
"When he first came to Tochigi, there were disasters and natural calamities, and he was quick to go to those affected. He was humble and had excellent footwork, going wherever he could. He was passionate about agriculture."

They also felt his passion for agriculture, which is reflected in his current position, as he met with JA (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives) officials and actively addressed their requests.

Another person who had helped with his election campaigns for many years also commented.

A Liberal Democratic Party member who assisted with election campaigns for over 14 years (September 9th, Tochigi Prefecture):
"I thought he was a candidate to be proud of back then. I had the impression that he was someone who would grow into an excellent politician."

Despite being a "parachute candidate," his initial reputation was reportedly good. However...

A Liberal Democratic Party member who assisted with election campaigns for over 14 years (September 9th, Tochigi Prefecture):
"He was terrible with his staff. His attitude towards his secretaries. He would even call them 'you' in front of supporters."

A former staff member of Mr. Yana's office (September 9th, Tochigi Prefecture):
"Even when I was there, secretaries were quitting one after another. He wouldn't listen to the chairman of the support group or the secretary-general at all, and if anyone offered him an opinion, he would just turn away."

According to multiple sources, a large number of secretaries quit, and it is suggested that he created many enemies by not listening to the advice of his superiors.

A f...