Rocky start for new Japanese premier as minister quits over nuclear gaffe

JAPANESE Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s new government suffered a blow yesterday after just eight days in office when the trade minister resigned over gaffes on the sensitive topic of radiation from the tsunami-hit Fukushima plant.

By The Newsroom

Published 10th Sep 2011, 20:08 BST

The resignation of Yoshio Hachiro, who handled the energy portfolio, will give opposition parties ammunition for attack as Noda strives to end the radiation crisis at the Fukushima plant while tackling a plethora of challenges from rebuilding after the March earthquake and tsunami to curbing huge public debt.

Hachiro submitted his resignation to Noda after reports that he joked with a reporter about radiation from the tsunami-crippled Fukushima nuclear plant.

It was his second remark seen as offensive to victims of the worst nuclear accident in 25 years. Japanese media said Hachiro had attempted to rub up against a reporter, saying: “I’ll give you radiation” after visiting the Fukushima plant on Thursday.