Japan Finance Min. Nakagawa Resigns

Tokyo, Feb. 17 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Finance Minister Shoichi
Nakagawa resigned on Tuesday, dealing another blow to the already embattled
Prime Minister Taro Aso.

Nakagawa, also financial services minister, submitted his
resignation to Aso in order to take responsibility for confusion caused by
his sloppy behavior at an internationally televised news conference after a
Group of Seven meeting in Rome Saturday.
Aso accepted his resignation immediately, making Nakagawa the
second minister to leave Aso's cabinet, which was formed in September last
year. Nariaki Nakayama quit last year as land minister due to his
controversial remarks.
Earlier in the day, Nakagawa expressed his intention to resign
after the anticipated passage of the fiscal 2009 budget and related
legislation through the House of Representatives.
But he has been forced into immediate resignation after the
Democratic Party of Japan-led opposition camp submitted a censure motion
against him to the House of Councillors. The opposition-controlled Upper
House was expected to vote for the motion on Wednesday.
Many ruling coalition officials including New Komeito
Secretary-General Kazuo Kitagawa joined the call for his resignation.
At a news conference late Tuesday, Nakagawa said he had changed his
mind and decided to quit early because it would be difficult to enact the
budget and related bills if he remained.
Aso named Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Kaoru Yosano to
concurrently serve as finance and financial services ministers.
Speaking to reporters, Aso said Nakagawa made a tough decision and
that he will respect his choice. The prime minister said he is responsible
as he appointed Nakagawa to the key post.
The exit of Nakagawa only worsens the situation for Aso, who has
been hit by extremely low public support.
Following the G-7 blunder, Aso initially decided to let Nakagawa,
Aso's close ally, stay on in an apparent bid to protect him.
His error in judgment, along with his responsibility for using
Nakagawa, is likely to become the main target of attacks by the opposition
camp.
The opposition will retract the censure motion, which blames
Nakagawa's behavior for causing deep distrust in the efforts of Japan's
financial authorities to fight the global recession.
DPJ Secretary-General Yukio Hatoyama said the opposition will turn
up the heat on Aso. The prime minister should dissolve the Lower House
immediately for a snap election, Hatoyama told reporters.
The confusion caused by Nakagawa resulted in a delay in Diet
proceedings over the fiscal 2009 budget and related bills. Their passages
through the Lower House are now anticipated for next week and there may be
further delays depending on moves to be made by the opposition camp.
Nakagawa came under fire for slurring his words and appearing to be
drunk at the news conference held after the G-7 meeting. His poor behavior
was televised around the world and made headlines in many newspapers.