Giro
JF-Expert Member
- Feb 9, 2009
- 359
- 24
Source:BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | 'Drunk' Japan minister to resign
Japan's finance minister has said he will step down, following claims that he was drunk at a recent G7 meeting.
Shoichi 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 said he had not drunk more than a sip of alcohol before facing the media in the Italian capital.
The news conference 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.
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."
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.
Mr Nakagawa has denied reports - including the view of a former prime minister - that he is a regular drinker.
..............................................................
Haka katabia sijui viongozi wetu watakaiga lini,Masha baada ya Kampuni aliyokuwa akiipigia debe kupigwa chini,badala ya ku resign yeye ameikana kwamba haijui na wala hajawahi kukutana nayo mashani kwake.
Anyway may be tutafika one day.
Japan's finance minister has said he will step down, following claims that he was drunk at a recent G7 meeting.
Shoichi 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 said he had not drunk more than a sip of alcohol before facing the media in the Italian capital.
The news conference 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.
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."
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.
Mr Nakagawa has denied reports - including the view of a former prime minister - that he is a regular drinker.
..............................................................
Haka katabia sijui viongozi wetu watakaiga lini,Masha baada ya Kampuni aliyokuwa akiipigia debe kupigwa chini,badala ya ku resign yeye ameikana kwamba haijui na wala hajawahi kukutana nayo mashani kwake.
Anyway may be tutafika one day.