Japan's newly-appointed reconstruction minister to quit
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Xinhua, July 5, 2011
Japan's reconstruction minister Ryu Matsumoto said Tuesday he will resign after just about one week in job, after his reportedly "high-handed" remarks angered the governors of the prefectures hit by twin disasters in March on Sunday.
He held talks with Iwate and Miyagi Governors when he visited quake-hit areas in Japan's northeast on Sunday. His remarks during the meetings were widely considered as arrogant.
Matsumoto was officially appointed by Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan in a recent Cabinet reshuffle as the minister in charge of reconstruction from the March disasters.
The 60-year-old minister served as environment minister before he took up the current position.
Matsumoto has been in charge of programs to remove debris and to deliver aid to tens of thousands of people living at evacuation shelters in the disaster-hit areas. Local media said the new position will enable him to ensure continuity in his programs.
