Japan’s Foreign Minister Bows Out

With political reverence alien to the U.S., Japan’s foreign minister has resigned after accusations that he accepted political donations from a foreign national. The minister, Seiji Maehara, had been seen as a potential successor to the current prime minister. –JCL

The BBC:

Japan’s Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara has resigned after being criticised for accepting a political donation from a foreign national.

Japanese law bans the practise, if done intentionally, and the opposition had called on him to quit.

The move is seen as a blow to Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who has been struggling to get budget bills through parliament and keep onto his own job.

Mr Maehara had been seen as a potential successor to Mr Kan.

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