A Japanese minister resigned for sending money and flowers to the family of a voter.

Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Isshu Sugawara resigned on October 25 under pressure from rival parties after media reports that his office sent condolence money and gifts to supporters - an act that violated Japan's election law.

Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Isshu Sugawara has resigned over a gift-giving scandal. Photo: CNN

Sugawara's sudden resignation is seen as a setback for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who gave him the ministerial post just over a month ago in a cabinet reshuffle.

Opposition parties have been pressuring Mr Sugawara to resign if the allegations are true. Mr Abe has reportedly appointed Hiroshi Kajiyama, a former minister in charge of governance reform, to replace Mr Sugawara as economy, trade and industry minister.

Sugawara, 57, was appointed to oversee Japan's trade and industrial policies at a time of escalating bilateral tensions between Japan and South Korea, sparked by Tokyo's tightening of export controls on Seoul.

His ministerial term was cut short after the weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported on October 24 that in mid-October, Sugawara's secretary sent a condolence payment of 20,000 yen ($185) to the family of a supporter in his Tokyo constituency.

His office also sent flowers to the families of several supporters this year, according to the magazine. He has also been accused of giving expensive melons and crabs to local supporters. Meanwhile, Japanese election law prohibits politicians from giving gifts or money to the families of voters in their constituencies.

Mr. Sugawara said at a regular press conference after a cabinet meeting that day that he was still confirming whether he had violated election laws. However, he decided to resign because he did not want his scandal to affect the meetings of the Japanese parliament.