Japan’s foreign minister, Seiji Maehara, has resigned after revelations that he received political donations from a foreign resident, deepening the political turmoil that has beset the administration of Naoto Kan.
Mr Maehara, who was considered a leading candidate to succeed Mr Kan, told the prime minister on Sunday night he would go in a bid to minimise the fallout from the disclosure that he had breached Japanese law, which forbids politicians receiving political donations from foreigners.
Mr Maehara admitted receiving Y250,000 ($3,000) from a long-time South Korean resident, but denied he did so knowingly. Under Japanese law, knowingly receiving political donations from foreigners can lead to a five-year ban from holding public office.