Japan Reconstruction Minister Matsumoto Resigns

Tokyo, July 5 (Jiji Press)--Ryu Matsumoto, Japanese minister for postdisaster reconstruction, resigned Tuesday after making controversial remarks during his recent visit to areas devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
The developments come as another blow to the already embattled prime minister, Naoto Kan. The opposition camp stepped up their calls for Kan's immediate resignation.
Matsumoto, a House of Representatives lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, submitted his resignation from the ministerial post, and Kan accepted it.
Matsumoto, who assumed the newly created post only on June 27, is the fourth cabinet member to step down since Kan took office as prime minister in June last year.
At an informal gathering of cabinet members, Kan said Matsumoto offered to resign to prevent a negative impact on postdisaster reconstruction efforts.
Kan aims to name Matsumoto's successor later on Tuesday.
The prime minister asked Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku to take the place of Matsumoto, but Sengoku showed reluctance, according to government sources. Some members of the ruling coalition favor Tatsuo Hirano, senior vice minister of the Cabinet Office.
Asked at a news conference about reasons for his resignation, Matsumoto only said it is a personal matter. On his controversial remarks, he said he is sorry for hurting the feeling of disaster sufferers.
During his visit to disaster areas Sunday, Matsumoto told Iwate Governor Takuya Tasso that the central government "will not help" municipalities if they do not put forward their own proposals about reconstruction. He also made controversial comments when he held talks with Miyagi Governor Yoshihiro Murai.
Matsumoto said Kan accepted his resignation after trying to persuade him to stay on.
Matsumoto apparently concluded that it is difficult to fulfill his duties in view of an increasing voice of criticism in the disaster areas.
At a news conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said the government will do its utmost to limit the impact of Matsumoto's resignation on overall reconstruction work.
Liberal Democratic Party President Sadakazu Tanigaki, speaking at a conference of LDP executives, said Kan should resign as quickly as possible.
Kan has significant responsibility for appointing Matsumoto to the reconstruction post, New Komeito head Natsuo Yamaguchi told a news conference, adding that the current political vacuum should not be prolonged.
Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama also called for Kan's immediate resignation, saying it is time for him to pass the baton for the good of the nation.
Matsumoto joined the government in September last year when Kan named him environment and disaster management minister as part of a cabinet reshuffle.