Prime Minister Taro Aso refused Monday to fire Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa for his unusual behavior Saturday after a Group of Seven meeting which has led opposition parties to call for his dismissal.
Nakagawa slurred his speech, at times appeared half asleep and had trouble answering questions from reporters during a news conference in Rome.
His behavior sparked speculation he may have been drunk, as rumors have long circulated that he is a heavy drinker.