Blame it on my blood, says Japan politician

Forced to quit after barely a week as Japan's reconstruction minister for remarks deemed offensive to victims of the March earthquake and tsunami, Ryu Matsumoto had an unusual explanation for his behaviour his blood type

Forced to quit after barely a week as Japan's reconstruction minister for remarks deemed offensive to victims of the March earthquake and tsunami, Ryu Matsumoto had an unusual explanation for his behaviour his blood type.

"My blood's type B, which means I can be irritable and impetuous, and my intentions don't always come across," he said after his resignation.
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Former Reconstruction Minister may be the first to blame his insensitive remarks to his blood type

"My wife called me earlier to point that out. I think I need to reflect about that."

Matsumoto was tapping into a widespread belief in Japan that blood types correspond to various character traits.

Japan's fascination with blood types began in the early 20th century and is similar to the belief in astrology and horoscopes. Many Japanese believe their blood type can foretell success in romance and the suitability for jobs.

It's not uncommon for the subject to come up in conversation, sometimes as explanation for an action, and a directory of members of parliament lists the blood types of many, along with their home towns and hobbies.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0

Many Japanese, however, said it was not an acceptable reason for Matsumoto's behaviour.u00a0

In a meeting with the governor of Iwate, one of the hardest-hit prefectures, Matsumoto bluntly warned that the government "will help areas that offer ideas, but will not help those without ideas. I want you to work with that kind of resolve".u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0

Speaking before TV
cameras, Matsumoto reprimanded the governor for keeping him waiting and then ordered journalists not to report the exchange or else their media outlets would suffer.u00a0

People with type B blood are believed to be stubborn, impulsive and cold, although they are also seen as practical, and Matsumoto's explanation was greeted with derision.

"He should apologise to all other Type Bs," said one user of a Web chat forum.

Matsumoto's resignation delivered a fresh blow to unpopular Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who is a blood type O believed to be sociable and energetic but flighty, able to easily start projects but then give them up just as fast.

What does your blood group say about you?

Type A
Best traits: Creative, sensible
Worst traits: Fastidious, stubborn

Type B
Best traits: Creative, passionate
Worst traits: Selfish, irresponsible

Type AB
Best traits: Sociable, adaptable
Worst traits: Critical, indecisive

Type O
Best traits: Agreeable, optimistic
Worst traits: Jealous, arrogant

45%
Amount of children who have been tested positive for Thyroid radiation in Japan post tsunami

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