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Nakagawa Disgrace Is Boost For Opposition
Shoichi Nakagawa, Japan's finance minister, yesterday resigned amid harsh criticism of his erratic performance at a weekend meeting of the Group of Seven, delivering a heavy blow to his already beleaguered government.
His departure will deprive Taro Aso, prime minister, of a heavyweight political ally and key cabinet member just as he struggles to respond to a recession of historic proportions and win back the confidence of voters.
Mr Aso initially backed his finance minister, who has denied being drunk at a press conference at the G7 gathering in Rome during which he slurred his words and struggled to stay awake and focused.
Mr Nakagawa, who has blamed his poor showing on taking too much cold medicine, initially tried to delay the effective date of his resignation until the Diet passes stimulus legislation and the state budget, but under growing political pressure was forced to step down immediately.
“I apologise for causing so much trouble to the public, prime minister and Diet by not managing my health properly,” Mr Nakagawa said.
Mr Aso yesterday won a chance to escape Tokyo's political turmoil and act as international statesman when Hilary Clinton, visiting US secretary of state, delivered an invitation for him to next week become the first foreign leader to meet US president Barack Obama in the White House. This was an honour that George W. Bush, the previous president, accorded Canada in 2001.
Ms Clinton, at the beginning of her first overseas trip since becoming secretary of state, went out of her way to reassure Japanese policymakers that the cross-Pacific partnership would remain a cornerstone of foreign policy under Mr Obama.
Mr Aso said he would appoint Kaoru Yosano, minister for economic and fiscal policy, to replace Mr Nakagawa as finance minister in addition to his current portfolio.
