Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Finance Minister Nakagawa to step down over G-7 behavior

Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa said Tuesday he has decided to step down in the face of criticism over his unusual behavior at a weekend press conference in Rome, delivering another blow to struggling Prime Minister Taro Aso.

The 55-year-old close ally of the premier said that he would resign after the fiscal 2009 budget and related bills clear the Diet, which is expected in March or April.

‘‘I was told by Prime Minister Aso to do my best until the passage (of the bills),’’ he told a hastily called press conference in Tokyo after he visited a doctor for a medical check.

‘‘My doctor said to me that I am suffering from a cold and fatigue,’’ he said, adding, he had ‘‘apologized for having caused a great deal of trouble to the prime minister and other people concerned’’ by not taking good enough care of his health.

Nakagawa slurred his words and sometimes closed his eyes at a news conference that followed a Group of Seven financial leaders’ meeting in the Italian capital. Footage showing what appeared to be drunken behavior was aired around the world.

The minister said he believes his wobbly performance was caused mainly by jet lag and the intake of too much cold medicine, brushing aside speculation that he was under the influence of alcohol at that time.

But Nakagawa admitted Monday that he sipped wine at a luncheon before attending the news conference. His fondness for drink is well-known in Japanese political circles.

Earlier Tuesday, Nakagawa had said that he would remain in his post. He said he would ‘‘make a final decision (on whether to step down) after hearing various opinions and the premier’s judgment.’’

Nakagawa’s announcement comes just after the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan decided to submit a censure motion against him to the House of Councillors.

He apparently made the decision to step down in a bid to keep to the minimum the repercussions of the scandal on the Aso administration and avert a further decline in the premier’s support ratings.

Nariaki Nakayama was forced to step down as transport minister soon after Aso formed his abinet last September, following a series of verbal gaffes.

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