Japanese Finance Minister resigns

Japanese Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa announced his resignation at his office in Tokyo yesterday. Prime Minister Taro Aso picked economics minister Kaoru Yosano to replace Nakagawa, who resigned after appearing to be drunk at the Group of Seven...

Japanese Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa announced his resignation at his office in Tokyo yesterday. Prime Minister Taro Aso picked economics minister Kaoru Yosano to replace Nakagawa, who resigned after appearing to be drunk at the Group of Seven meeting in Rome.

Mr Nakagawa, a close ally of unpopular Prime Minister Taro Aso, was incoherent and slurred his speech at the news conference, prompting calls for his sacking.

He later said he had sipped some wine with lunch but blamed jet lag and cold medicine for what appeared to be drunken behaviour.

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