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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Japan finance minister steps down | Japan finance minister steps down |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Japan's Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa has said he will resign for health reasons, amid claims that he was drunk at a recent G7 meeting. | Japan's Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa has said he will resign for health reasons, amid claims that he was drunk at a recent G7 meeting. |
| Mr Nakagawa said he would resign after the government's budget is passed by the lower house of parliament. | Mr Nakagawa said he would resign after the government's budget is passed by the lower house of parliament. |
| He earlier apologised for his behaviour at last weekend's news conference in Rome but blamed cold remedies for a slurred performance there. | He earlier apologised for his behaviour at last weekend's news conference in Rome but blamed cold remedies for a slurred performance there. |
| He said he had not drunk more than a sip of alcohol before facing the media. | He said he had not drunk more than a sip of alcohol before facing the media. |
| "I want to apologise once again as I caused tremendous bother to people because of the press conference after the G7 in Rome," Mr Nakagawa told reporters in Tokyo on Tuesday. | "I want to apologise once again as I caused tremendous bother to people because of the press conference after the G7 in Rome," Mr Nakagawa told reporters in Tokyo on Tuesday. |
| "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." | "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." |
| Mr Nakagawa's resignation is seen as a major blow to Prime Minister Taro Aso's government in an election year. | |
| Mr Aso was already facing plummeting support; a poll by broadcaster NTV on Sunday put backing for his cabinet at 9.7%. | |
| Voters are worried both about the economy and Mr Aso's leadership credentials in the wake of a series of gaffes, analysts say. | |
| 'Embarrassing' | 'Embarrassing' |
| The news conference in Rome followed a meeting of finance ministers focussing on the current world economic crisis. | The news conference in Rome followed a meeting of finance ministers focussing on the current world economic crisis. |
| Footage showed Mr Nakagawa slurring his speech and closing his eyes repeatedly as if he was dozing off. | Footage showed Mr Nakagawa slurring his speech and closing his eyes repeatedly as if he was dozing off. |
| At one point, he mistook a question aimed at the governor of the Bank of Japan as one intended for him. | At one point, he mistook a question aimed at the governor of the Bank of Japan as one intended for him. |
| "It's embarrassing," said Democratic Party Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama. "This has sent a message to the whole world. He's damaged the national interest." | "It's embarrassing," said Democratic Party Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama. "This has sent a message to the whole world. He's damaged the national interest." |
| He explained that he had sipped wine at a luncheon toast on the day of the news conference, but had not consumed an entire glass. | He explained that he had sipped wine at a luncheon toast on the day of the news conference, but had not consumed an entire glass. |
| He said he had taken too much medicine, including cold remedy, and that had made him drowsy. | He said he had taken too much medicine, including cold remedy, and that had made him drowsy. |
| Mr Nakagawa has denied reports - including the view of a former prime minister - that he is a regular drinker. | Mr Nakagawa has denied reports - including the view of a former prime minister - that he is a regular drinker. |