‘Drunk’ Japanese minister resigns
Tuesday 17th February 2009, 3:01PM GMT.
Japan’s finance minister says he will resign after facing accusations he was drunk at a G7 news conference.
Shoichi Nakagawa has strongly denied being drunk during the Q&A session, which saw him slur his responses, answer questions not directed at him and repeatedly close his eyes as if falling asleep.
Despite claiming his behaviour was down to cold medication, on Tuesday the 55-year-old said he would resign after the government’s budget moved into the lower house of parliament.
“It is a fact that I didn’t conduct myself clearly, and I feel I must put it straight,” Mr Nakagawa said.
“I have caused trouble to the people.
“I apologise for causing commotion from my careless health management.
“I visited hospital last night and this morning and was diagnosed to have a bad lower back, cold and fatigue.
“I’ll do my best to fulfil my duties for the remaining days.”
The press conference, which was front page news in Japan, had led to calls for the finance minister to resign and heaped more pressure on his premier Taro Aso – who is already contending with single-digit approval ratings.
On Monday the economic figures for the final quarter of 2008 led to ministers to describe the current situation as Japan’s worst crisis since the second world war.
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