Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Exhausted Japan finance minister to quit, says Nikkei
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Exhausted Japan finance minister to quit, says Nikkei
Reuters - Wednesday, January 6
Send
IM Story
Print
By Stanley White and Tetsushi Kajimoto
TOKYO - Japan's aged finance minister is to quit due to poor health after weeks of exhausting wrangling over the budget, the Nikkei news agency said on Tuesday, a fresh blow for Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama as he struggles with a frail economy and huge public debt.
Hatoyama had said he wanted Hirohisa Fujii to stay on, but if he does go it could put the fiscal restraint championed by the 77-year-old lawmaker at risk and weigh on government bonds, though for now investors are reassured that bond issuance for the fiscal year from April is set.
"I want him to keep doing his best," Hatoyama told reporters after broadcaster NTV said Fujii -- who has high blood pressure -- had told Hatoyama he was worried he couldn't cope with long days of questioning in parliament, due to convene this month.
Nikkei, citing a ruling party lawmaker, said the government had decided to accept Fujii's resignation.
Hatoyama took office in September after his Democratic Party overturned almost five decades of unbroken rule by the Liberal Democrats, but his popular support has sagged in recent weeks due to his growing reputation as an indecisive leader.
Finding a successor for Fujii from within the inexperienced ranks of his party will be another test for Hatoyama ahead of a mid-year upper house election that will weaken the DPJ's ability to pass legislation if it loses.
"The market had a sense of trust in the government because of Fujii's leadership in compiling the budget," said Toshihiko Sakai, manager of foreign exchange trading at Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Bank.
"The budget is already put in shape, but a lack of Fujii's leadership could mean political instability in the future and is therefore negative for Japanese government bonds."
Kikuko Takeda, senior currency economist with BTM UFJ in London, said Fujii's resignation should not automatically translate into a higher yen.
"Fujii was considered to be serious about fiscal discipline, and so his resignation may further highlight the government's indebtedness. The key will be how JGBs react tomorrow morning, and the yen may take a cue from their movements."
Often serving as the voice of fiscal restraint, Fujii was the main proponent of sticking to a cap of around 44 trillion yen on new bond issuance for the year from April as the government looks to contain a mountain of debt.
Were Fujii to stand down after just over three months in the job, Hatoyama would struggle to find a lawmaker with both Fujii's expertise in budgetary matters and the political clout needed to resist pressure to spend more on economic stimulus projects, which would inflate the already huge public debt.
"If Fujii were to step down, markets are likely to start worrying that his successor would call for expansive fiscal spending to achieve the government's growth target," said Seiji Adachi, senior economist at Deutsche Securities.
"Even if Fujii stays on, he may not be able to push for fiscal discipline further given his health problems."
For a graphic on Japan's fiscal pressures, click: http://r.reuters.com/paw97f
POSSIBLE CANDIDATES
Fujii's two deputies, Yoshihiko Noda and Naoki Minezaki, are possibilities to replace him, as are other cabinet members such as National Strategy Minister Naoto Kan and Yoshito Sengoku, who is in charge of cutting waste from the national budget.
Fujii said earlier he was waiting for final results of medical tests after being hospitalised last week suffering from exhaustion, and that a decision on whether he should stay in the post should be made before parliament convenes later this month.
The results of the medical tests were likely this weekend, Jiji news agency said, citing sources.
Even if he stays in the post, health problems may cast doubt on whether Fujii is fit enough for a job that requires overseeing the world's second-largest economy, making frequent overseas trips and attending hours of debate in parliament.
"The concern in the market is whether there will be a delay in parliament deliberations on the budget," said Akitsugu Bandou, senior economist at Okasan Securities.
"It's better if a decision on whether he stays is made before parliament convenes. But it's also unclear whether there will be a smooth transition if a new person were to take over the job."
The government fears the economy could slide back into a recession this year as falling wages and persistent deflation dampen consumers' appetite to spend.
Japan approved on December 25 a record 92.3 trillion yen budget for 2010/11 that will increase the country's public debt that is nearing 200 percent of GDP.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
China dismisses Iran sanctions talk for now at UN AP - 2 hours 36 minutes ago
1,000 people homeless on Solomons after tsunami AP - 2 hours 46 minutes ago
India asks students to take precautions in Australia AFP - Wednesday, January 6
China official says diesel spill is contained AP - Wednesday, January 6
Exhausted Japan finance minister to quit, says Nikkei Reuters - Wednesday, January 6
News Search
Top Stories
Criticism soars as Sweden's wolf hunt ends
Euro inflation accelerates to 0.9% in December: EU
Smith, Amla punish England during third Test
Nestle buys Kraft pizzas for $3.7 bln
German unemployment resists recession in 2009
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Huge tomb found at Egypt's Saqqara pyramid
NASA's Kepler telescope finds five new planets
Beat the blues by going to bed early: study
British PM Brown named worst-dressed man
French rocker Hallyday's daughter hospitalised
More Most Viewed »
Tiger's wife Elin seeking divorce: reports
British priest defends urging people to shoplift
Brazilian confesses to sticking needles into two-year-old
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Wednesday, 6 January 2010 Iraqi police seize artifacts amid smuggling fears
Euro inflation accelerates to 0.9% in December: EU
Electric car Think to be assembled in US in 2011: report
Israel to build more homes in East Jerusalem
Dutch say failed plane bomber acted alone
|
Apple acquires mobile ad company Quattro Wireless
Iceland president angers Britain, Dutch over bank bill
Top general blasts US Afghan intelligence gathering
Britain says had no warning of plane bomb plot
|
Italy class-action suit planned against Microsoft
Smith, Amla punish England during third Test
Iran renews execution threat against protesters
German unemployment resists recession in 2009
Microsoft announces retail prices for Office 2010
Suicide attacker at CIA base was Jordanian: report
Nestle buys Kraft pizzas for $3.7 bln
Polycom teams with IBM in consumer videoconference
Nigeria chafes at tougher U.S. air security rule
|
Saudi Arabia meets Egyptians on Palestinian talks
|
Blair to face Iraq war inquiry, big demand for seats
|
Google unveils Nexus One superphone
|
Apple acquires mobile ad company Quattro Wireless
|
ESPN and Discovery launching 3-D TV networks
|
China official says diesel spill is contained
Exhausted Japan finance minister to quit, says Nikkei
Strong aftershocks rattle Solomons after quake and tsunami
Justices To Hear Human Rights Group Challenge To Terrorism "Support" Law
Utah Men Sought In Death Of Officer During Routine Stop
Deep freeze in China as S. Korea cleans up after record snow
Obama to unveil new air security measures
Florida Father Fractures Infant's Skull While Beating Wife
German Pipe Manufacturer To Build Plant In Mississippi; 500 Jobs Coming
3rd White House crasher is local event planner
At least 7 die in China coal mine fire; 20 trapped
China factory blamed for lead poisoning in 51 kids
9/11 museum gets 'Dear Hero' collection of notes
American Pilot Pleads Guilty In British Court
Report: Ohio guard dies after horseplay with teen
California's Bakersfield Airport Shutdown After Suspicious Substance Is Found
Pakistan highlights West's failure in Afghanistan
SC first lady's memoir to be released next month
Skull linked to secret Yale society to be sold
Study: Children Affected By Hurricane Katrina Suffer From Serious Emotional Disturbances
Roaches, rats, then arson used in strip club feud
No evidence race behind Indian attacks
Police Football Team Tackle Would-Be Burglar
Mom faces woman accused of trying to cut baby out
Rising Motorhome Sales As Younger Generation Flocks To RV Lifestyle
Philippine massacre suspect pleads not guilty
2 critically hurt in SoCal train-car collision
Yuvraj boosts India in S.Lanka one-dayer
First Female Honored By Darwin Awards
Harley to introduce 12 motorcycle models in India
PetroVietnam reports fall in revenue
Taiwan gives foreigners stocks deadline to beat speculation
Japanese executives see slow economic recovery
US rally boosts Asian markets
Japan govt 'accepts finance minister's resignation'
Japan govt accepts finance minister's resignation: Kyodo
Turkmenistan, Iran set to open new gas pipeline
Reports: Japan finance minister offers to resign
Vince Vaughn marries in small, private ceremony
Japan Airlines wins backing for pension cuts
Vince Vaughn marries in small, private ceremony
|
Avatar, Up among Producers Guild nominees
|
Producer and musician Willie Mitchell dead at 81
Romania mulls junk food tax
Singapore's first casino resort to open January 20
Israeli village stirs up hummus war with record bid
Timing of SC first lady memoir not tied to divorce
Lady Gaga, Green Day added to Grammy lineup
"Avatar," "Up" among Producers Guild nominees
No comeback for Siegfried and Roy
Gaza militant killed in Israeli air strike
Japan eyes new finance minister amid policy, political doubts
|
US-TECH Summary
Criticism soars as Sweden's wolf hunt ends
Israel approves east Jerusalem building project
Some 30 million German bank cards hit by 2010 bug: banks
US intel operations in Afghanistan under fire
Tombs to lift lid on Egypt's ancient middle class
Taking aim at Google, Apple buys mobile ad firm
Bomb in Pakistani Kashmir kills three army cadets
|
Google unveils Nexus One smartphone
Internet witches and warlocks help nab US drug dealer
Cold snap spurs power rationing in China
|
Japan whalers accused of sinking protesters' boat
|
Apple App Store downloads top three billion
Gaza militant killed in Israeli air strike
|
China rules out new U.N. sanctions on Iran for now
|
China fights growing problem of tuberculosis
|
Costa Rican volcano erupts after long silence
|
U.S. pilot in botched Bay of Pigs invasion dies
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,372
AP NewsAlert
Tenn. officials want Davy Crockett document
Obama unveils changes to address bomb attempt
China rules out new U.N. sanctions on Iran for now
NATO official: US intel lacking in Afghanistan
RI lawmakers back funeral rights for gays
Mass. college bans head coverings that block face
China dismisses Iran sanctions talk for now at UN
NYC reaches new all-time low in murders
1,000 people homeless on Solomons after tsunami
MN airport reopens after suspicious bag cleared
Google revamps its mobile strategy with new phone
|
India asks students to take precautions in Australia
Cornel West, Quincy Jones to headline King holiday
HP unveils new PCs
|
Amazon takes larger-screen Kindle global
|
Disney unveils KeyChest technology
|
ESPN and Discovery launching 3-D TV networks
|
S.Korea finmin warns against hasty rate hike-paper
US slaps duties on China wire decking
Software maker sues China on piracy accusation
Investigators seek cause of death of LA socialite
Sam Mendes in talks to direct next Bond movie
NBC's Mitchell got most evening news time in 2000s
Polanski hearing could bring new defense strategy
Investigators seek cause of death of LA socialite
Smithsonian museums saw jump in visits last year
Polanski hearing could bring new defense strategy
|
Lenny Kravitz denies leaking Jackson collaboration
Sam Mendes in talks to direct next Bond movie
|
'Avatar,' 'Hurt Locker,' nominated in key Oscars indicator
Lady Gaga, Green Day, Pink to play at Grammys
Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner top movie poll
|
Lost producers come full circle in final season
|
People return to TV Sunday after holidays
Spider-Man 4 delayed over script clashes
|
Battery charge dismissed against Gerard Butler
Lenny Kravitz denies leaking Jackson collaboration
|
Hulk Hogan sets TNA record on Spike
|
Sharon Stone to guest star in Law & Order: SVU
|
Police Woman TV producer David Gerber dies, age 86
|
ESPN and Discovery launching 3-D TV networks
|
Snow brings mayhem to Britain as Europe shivers
5 Iraqis killed in traffic accident with US forces
Johnson and Johnson heiress found dead in LA
Egypt police clash with Gaza relief convoy members
Karzai seeks new cabinet before London conference
|
With pizza cash, Kraft sweetens bid for Cadbury
'Five policemen killed, 15 wounded' in Dagestan
Yemen arrests three Qaeda militants, targets leader
|
Suicide bomber kills seven in Russia's Dagestan
|
Israel's Barak getting death threats, official says
Northern Irish militants disarm, dissident threat remains
|
Egypt, Hamas exchange fire on Gaza frontier, 1 dead
|
UK's PM Brown faces leadership ballot call
|
France wants to add more countries to risk list
|
Media killings, deaths hit 132 in 2009, report says
|
US drone attack kills four in Pakistan: officials
Obama to honor outstanding teachers
Thai detention extended for alleged arms smugglers
Departure of ND senator unsettle Senate Democrats
Afghan official: Blast kills 4 kids, wounds dozens
Software maker sues China on piracy accusation
Officials cast Vegas shooting as 'suicide mission'
Fight against fat goes high-tech with new devices
Bomber kills 4 soldiers in Pakistani Kashmir
Fed judges: Wash. felony inmates should get vote
Sri Lankan Tamil party to back former general
Baidu to start new co to provide online video
|
US missiles, suicide bomb kill 15 in Pakistan
Alaska to test nation's emergency alert system
Malaysia court reinstates Allah ban pending appeal
Mom, baby die in car-SUV wreck on snowy NY roadway
China reporter sentenced in cover-up of mine blast
Gov. Schwarzenegger in denial about final year
Japanese whalers accused of sinking protest boat
Taiwan fears hot money could hurt economic recovery
Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui to raise $8.7 billion
US software firm sues China for $2.2 bln
Turkmenistan, Iran open new gas route
Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui plans huge share sale
Thai Airways executive chairman quits over baggage
S.Korea won hits fresh 15-mth high; gov't spotted
ESPN, Sony, Discovery, IMAX to bring 3-D TV into the home
Hulk Hogan sets "TNA" record on Spike
"Police Woman" TV producer David Gerber dies, age 86
Sharon Stone to guest star on 'Law & Order: SVU'
Sharon Stone to guest star in Law & Order: SVU
|
Green Day's 'American Idiot' is set for Broadway
Publishing magazine may get reprieve
Woman Unhappy With Hamburger Trashes McDonald's
Chevrolet Volt Electric Car and OnStar Get Smartphone Remote Control
British Columbia Logs Second Cougar Attack Within 1 Week
Same Sex British Columbia Couple Files Lawsuit Against Sperm Donor
NH Man Shoots Hoops For Good Cause
Filipino Pastry Chef's Creation For Moscow Hotel Gets Raves
Huge Tuna Sells For $175,000 At Japan Fish Market
Elite Danish Dating Site Boots 5,000 Members For Gaining Weight
American Pilot Pleads Guilty In British Court
Police Football Team Tackle Would-Be Burglar
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights