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Japanese foreign minister resigns over illegal donation from foreigner


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Japanese foreign minister resigns over illegal donation from foreigner

2011-03-06 23:28:27 GMT+7 (ICT)

TOKYO (BNO NEWS) -- Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara said Sunday he has decided to step down for illegally accepting a donation from a South Korean supporter.

Maehara, seen as a possible successor to Prime Minister Naoto Kan, will be the first minister to resign since Kan reshuffled his Cabinet in January. The resignation will deal a severe blow to the unpopular premier's government.

"I have to solemnly accept the fact that a politician serving as foreign minister has received a donation from a foreigner," Maehara told a news conference after his meeting with Kan.

"I don't want to inflict damage on Japan's foreign policy by arousing suspicion among foreign governments and the Japanese people," he added, as cited by Kyodo News.

The minister, who assumed the post in September, admitted on Friday that he had accepted political donations of 50,000 yen (607 dollars) from a South Korean resident in Kyoto whom he has known since childhood.

The 48-year-old politician served as transport minister before assuming the foreign minister's portfolio in September 2010.

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-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-03-06

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