17 February,2009 01:09 PM IST | | Kyodo
Japanese Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa vowed to stay on Tuesday after his wobbly behavior at a press conference in Rome Saturday drew fire.
Meanwhile, the opposition camp is set to submit a censure motion against him later in the day.
"I was sick and caused much trouble to people concerned," Nakagawa told reporters after a Cabinet meeting. He was referring to what appeared to be drunken behaviour at the news conference that followed a Group of Seven financial leaders' meeting in the Italian capital. "I will do my best to execute my duties," Nakagawa said.
Earlier in the morning, he said he would "make a final decision (on whether to step down) after hearing various opinions and the premier's judgment."
Yesterday evening, Prime Minister Taro Aso told Nakagawa to continue as finance minister. Major domestic and overseas news organisations reported that Nakagawa was slurring his words and closed his eyes during the post-G-7 news conference.
The minister admitted yesterday that he sipped wine at a luncheon before attending the news conference.
Nakagawa's fondness for drink is well-known in Japanese political circles. Nakagawa, 55, told reporters he saw a doctor yesterday and a medical report will come out later in the day.
