CET6

 　　Japanese Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa attends a news conference in Tokyo February 17, 2009. 　　

 　　Japanese Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa reacts at a news conference in Tokyo February 17, 2009. 　　

　　Japanese Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa reacts at a news conference in Tokyo February 17, 2009. 　　

 　　Japanese Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa leaves a news conference room after announcing his resignation in Tokyo February 17, 2009.

　　Japanese Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa on Tuesday submitted his resignation over allegations he appeared drunk at a recent G7 summit in Rome.
　　"I decided that it would be better for the country if I quit," Nakagawa was quoted as saying.
　　"I apologize for causing so much trouble," he said.
　　Japanese PM Taro Aso accepted Nakagawas's resignation and voiced his intention to name Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Kaoru Yosano to double as finance minister.
　　Nakagawa, 55, had intended to step down after the fiscal 2009 budget and related bills pass the Diet, but decided to resign immediately after sensing the hostile atmosphere in the Diet.
　　The finance minister slurred his speech, at times appeared half asleep and had trouble answering questions from reporters at a news conference following the Group of Seven (G7) financial leaders' meeting in the Italian capital Saturday.
　　As his behavior sparked speculation that he was under the influence of alcohol at that time, Nakagawa and other government officials on Monday repeatedly denied he had been drinking beforehand, saying his wobbly performance was caused mainly by jetlag and cold medicine.
　　"My doctor told me that I am suffering from a cold and fatigue," said Nakagawa at a hastily summoned press conference after having a medical examination earlier Tuesday.
　　Executives of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) held a meeting Monday and agreed to demand Nakagawa to resign.
　　Nakagawa, known for his fondness for alcohol, admitted sipping wine at a G7 lunch before the news conference later Monday.

（责任编辑：中大编辑）