Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso on Friday ruled out stepping down as a Cabinet member or lawmaker for citing Nazi Germany as an example for revising the pacifist Constitution.
Brushing aside calls from some opposition Diet members, Aso said he has "no intention to resign." He retracted the comment Thursday after it triggered criticism both at home and abroad.
Aso, who was prime minister from 2007 to 2008, said he believes it is now understood internationally that he did not intend to justify the Nazi regime.