The New Year appears to be starting rather badly for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Scandals have led to the resignations of two of Abe's handpicked officials, one a cabinet member, within the past week.

The first resignation was tendered last week by the chairman of Abe's council for tax reform after news spread that he had rented an upscale, government-subsidized apartment for himself and his mistress.

Then, this week, the minister for administrative reform stepped aside over embezzlement of tax money intended for party financing...