Scandal-hit vice finance minister to resign

APD NEWS

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Japan's administrative vice finance minister is stepping down after a weekly magazine reported that he had made sexually harassing comments to female journalists.

Junichi Fukuda told reporters on Wednesday that he offered to resign because he believes it would be difficult for him to carry out his duties. He said he is to blame for allowing the allegations to surface at a time when his ministry is under fire.

Fukuda said he wanted to apologize to everyone concerned. But he stressed that the magazine's allegations are false and that he will take the matter to court.

Finance Minister Taro Aso told reporters earlier in the day that Fukuda told him he would seek to prove his innocence. But Aso said he accepted Fukuda's resignation.

Aso said the resignation is pending Cabinet approval.

Fukuda had earlier issued a comment denying the allegations. The ministry has asked the unnamed female journalists to cooperate in an investigation by a law firm it has retained.

But the ministry's response has invited criticism that it is out of touch with the public. Government officials and members of the ruling and opposition parties are among the critics.

The ministry has been under fire for falsifying documents on the sale of state-owned land to school operator Moritomo Gakuen.

Analysts believe Fukuda decided it would be difficult for him to stay on as the ministry's top bureaucrat, and thus the person in charge of the issue.

(NHK)