Macron takes huge risk with surprise election    Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz quits emergency government    Israel alleges journalist held hostages in Gaza, without providing evidence    Ten Hindu pilgrims killed in bus attack in India's Jammu    Tourism Ministry asserts any types of visit visas do not entitle their holders to perform Hajj    Study: Preventive measures bring down sunstroke cases by 74% during Hajj    Makkah deputy emir inspects Holy Sites to ensure readiness of facilities and services for Hajj    SASO: Testing confirms Chinese company's products are free from harmful substances    Green Riyadh to start construction of 3 major parks in Riyadh    OMODA and JAECOO solidify expansion in Saudi market with opening of cutting-edge spare parts in Dammam    Medical team in Madinah removes brain tumor from Indonesian pilgrim    Changan Almajdouie partners with Yelo to expand car rental fleet in Saudi Arabia    Saudi Arabia to establish independent network to serve industrial and business sectors Aramco Digital qualifies for Specialized Radio Network License in 450 MHz band    Mahd Sports Academy appoints Mike Puig as Deputy CEO for Sports    Saudi national football team wins 3-0 against Pakistan in World Cup qualifiers    Saudi Film Nights to be held in Sydney and Melbourne    Eleven tons of rubbish taken off Himalayan peaks    Embracing change: A journey towards inner peace    Mohammed Al-Turki steps down as CEO of Red Sea Film Foundation    Cristiano Ronaldo hails 2023-24 RSL season as 'one of the best' of his career    Germany's head coach blasts public broadcaster for 'racist' survey    JK Rowling in 'arrest me' challenge over hate crime law    Trump's Bible endorsement raises concern in Christian religious circles    Hollywood icon Will Smith shares his profound admiration for Holy Qur'an    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Japan finance minister quits, jolts Aso
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 18 - 02 - 2009

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso's already shaky government was rocked Tuesday by the sudden resignation of his finance minister over allegations he appeared drunk after a recent G-7 meeting.
Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa, who has denied being drunk, offered his resignation late Tuesday.
Earlier in the day saying he would stay on until after parliament approves the budget for the fiscal year in late April.
“I have resigned,” said Nakagawa, one of the most prominent members of Aso's Cabinet.
“I decided that it would be better for the country if I quit.”
“He made a difficult choice, and I respect his decision,” Aso said.
The resignation was a huge embarrassment for Aso and a blow to Japan's efforts to deal with its deepening economic woes.
Economy Minister Kaoru Yosano will assume Nakagawa's duties, the prime minister said.
Nakagawa has been under fire over allegations he appeared to be drunk at a news conference following the G7 finance ministers meeting in Rome over the weekend.
TV footage showed him slurring his speech and looking drowsy and confused.
Nakagawa has said he took cold medicine, which, along with jet lag, made him groggy.
His abrupt announcement, coming as Tokyo hosted Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, was seen as an attempt at damage control, but some analysts said they expect the situation to get tougher for Aso in the weeks ahead and political gridlock to worsen.
“The scandal was so humiliating that Nakagawa's resignation will not be enough,” said political analyst Minoru Morita.
“The opposition will now shift their target to Aso, pushing him deeper into the corner.”
Opposition lawmakers had lodged a censure motion against Nakagawa and demanded he quit immediately.
“He embarrassed himself in front of the world,” said opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa.
Pressure for Nakagawa's resignation had been growing within Aso's Cabinet as well.
“The TV footage was shocking,” Consumer Minister Seiko Noda said. “A Cabinet minister must be fit and he needs more self control.”
The political confusion was also likely to stall Japan's economic initiatives.


Clic here to read the story from its source.