Trade minister Isshu Sugawara resigned on Friday, a month and a half after assuming his post, following an accusation in a weekly tabloid that he violated an election campaign law.
"I feel deeply ashamed of myself to resign in the middle of my tenure amid mounting pending issues. I apologize," Sugawara, 57, told reporters after a Cabinet meeting Friday morning. "There are various reports regarding my political activities in my district."
He added: "It's not my intention to stall the Diet and deliberation of bills because of my problems, as debates in each committee pick up speed starting today."
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.