Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urged his Cabinet ministers Tuesday to close ranks as they met for the first time since farm minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka's suicide the day before.
"I am painfully aware of the death of minister Matsuoka halfway (in his life and career), but I urge you all, ministers, for your cooperation in working in unity to address state affairs," Abe was quoted by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki as saying after the Cabinet observed a minute of silence at the onset of the morning meeting.
The ministers were believed to have discussed how to continue handling government and Diet affairs. Executives of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, to which House of Representatives member Matsuoka belonged, also met to exchange opinions on similar issues.