Japanese finance minister stumbles as economy staggers
Updated
With its economy already staggering from the global financial crisis, Japanese have been shocked to hear that their financial minister is in much the same shape, or was at a g-7 meeting in Rome.
There are calls for him to resign for allegedly being drunk at a G-7 meeting in Rome where he slurred his words and appeared to nod off during a press conference.
Presenter: Mark Willacy
Speakers: Shoichi Nakagawa, Japanese Finance Minister; Koichi Nakano, Associate Professor Of Politics, Sophia University In Tokyo
- Listen:
- Windows Media
(Shoichi Nakagawa speaking Japanese)
MARK WILLACY: Shoichi Nakagawa's love of a stiff drink is no secret in Japan.
But at a press conference in Rome after the weekend Group of Seven meeting, the Japanese Finance Minister looked decidedly tired, and somewhat emotional.
(Shoichi Nakagawa speaking)
As Mr Nakagawa slurred through the press conference, struggling to keep his eyes open, the Governor of the Bank of Japan Masaaki Shirakawa sat next to him looking utterly appalled - that look turned to abject horror when the Minister started drinking from the Governor's glass of water.
(Japanese reporter asking question)
Then a reporter directed a question to the central Bank Governor - a question intercepted by the Minister.
(Shoichi Nakagawa speaking)
'What? Please say again?' slurs the Minister.
Then he tries to locate the reporter. 'Where are you', asks Minister Nakagawa.
'I'm here', replies the journalist from just a few feet away.
KOICHI NAKANO: It seems that he may have relaxed a little too much going away to Rome.
MARK WILLACY: Koichi Nakano is an Associate Professor of Politics at Sophia University in Tokyo.
He says the Minister's behaviour is a disgrace.
KOICHI NAKANO: There's no knowing exactly how much he drunk but it seems quite obvious from the image we see on television that he was quite drunk at the time of the press conference.
MARK WILLACY: Back in Tokyo, awake, alert, and attentive, the Finance Minister fronted the media to explain that it was cold and flu medication that floored him - not alcohol.
(Shoichi Nakagawa speaking)
'I had a toast and drank a little', says the Minister. 'I think the meaning of being drunk and have a little toast is very different' he says.
Whatever the truth, Shoichi Nakagawa's timing couldn't be worse. The latest opinion poll puts support for his Government at below ten per cent.
And then there's economic numbers - namely a 12.7 per cent annual contraction in the Japanese economy - worse than even the most pessimistic predictions.
Political scientist Koichi Nakano says ordinary Japanese are right to despair about the Minister's behaviour and his Government's handling of the economic crisis.
KOICHI NAKANO: Quite obviously he couldn't fully control himself. How is he going to control the economic situation? It is very dubious.
MARK WILLACY: While the Minister now appears to have sobered up, the same can't be said about the Japanese economy - that particular hangover is certain to last for months to come.
