This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-29684631

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Yuko Obuchi: Japanese trade and industry minister quits Yuko Obuchi: Japanese trade and industry minister quits
(about 1 hour later)
Japan's trade and industry minister has submitted her resignation to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over claims she abused political funds.Japan's trade and industry minister has submitted her resignation to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over claims she abused political funds.
Yuko Obuchi is alleged to have used funds from her political support groups and other donations on make-up and other items unconnected to politics.Yuko Obuchi is alleged to have used funds from her political support groups and other donations on make-up and other items unconnected to politics.
She handed Mr Abe a letter of resignation during a 30-minute meeting.She handed Mr Abe a letter of resignation during a 30-minute meeting.
Correspondents say it is a blow to Mr Abe who is facing tough decisions on unpopular economic policies. Correspondents say it is a blow to Mr Abe, who wants to bring more women into the top levels of government.
Ms Obuchi was once seen as potentially Japan's first female premier. Ms Obuchi, 40, was one of five women appointed by Mr Abe in his last cabinet reshuffle last month and tipped by some as a future prime minister.
She was one of five women appointed by Mr Abe in his last cabinet reshuffle. But last week came news that her staff had spent tens of thousands of dollars of campaign funds shopping for designer goods, and tens of thousands more on taking constituents on trips to Tokyo.
NHK TV said on Monday that Ms Obuchi would reveal the results of an investigation into her alleged abuse of funds after meeting Mr Abe to offer her resignation. The BBC's Japan correspondent Rupert Wingfield-Hayes says that this is not the end of Mr Abe's problems concerning his new female ministers.
Eriko Yamatani was shown in photographs with members of an ultra-nationalist group that has been accused of hate speech against Japan's ethnic Korean community, while an opposition party has filed a criminal complaint accusing Justice Minister Midori Matsushima of illegal election advertising.
Mr Abe's first term as prime minister in 2006-2007 saw a string of scandals amongst his ministers, eventually leading to his own resignation for health reasons after just one year in office.Mr Abe's first term as prime minister in 2006-2007 saw a string of scandals amongst his ministers, eventually leading to his own resignation for health reasons after just one year in office.