Japan's agricultural minister died Monday after reportedly hanging himself just hours before he was to face questioning in parliament over a political scandal, officials said.The minister was found in his apartment Monday unconscious and declared dead hours later. The death comes just ahead of important elections in July, and as support for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet is plunging.
"We've confirmed that Agriculture Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka is dead," said Yasuhisa Shiozaki, the chief government spokesman.
Shiozaki said police were investigating the cause of death. Japanese media reported he had been found hanging in his apartment, and left a suicide note.
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