Japan scandal claims second victim

[PfcHammer]

http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/05/10/japan.resignations/index.html

Japan scandal claims second victim
Monday, May 10, 2004 Posted: 0932 GMT (1732 HKT)

Fukuda resigned Friday after not paying pension fund premiums.

TOKYO, Japan -- Japan's growing pension fund scandal has claimed another victim, with the head of the opposition Democratic Party announcing his resignation after failing to make mandatory premium payments.

Naoto Kan on Monday became the second high-level Japanese politician to step down as a result of the revelations. Yasuo Fukuda, Japan's chief cabinet secretary, resigned Friday.

"I caused great trouble for the Japanese people by increasing distrust in politics. My responsibility in this regard is very great," Kan said at meeting of Democratic Party lawmakers, The Associated Press reported.

"To take responsibility, I will resign as head of the party," Kan said.

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[PfcHammer]

1. "I caused great trouble for the Merkan people by

increasing distrust in politics. My responsibility in this regard is very great," Shrub said at meeting of Repugs, The Associated Press reported.

"To take responsibility, I will resign as head of the party," Shrub said.



Indulge me while I fantasize.

[MSgt213]

2. Here's an example of people taking responsibility for their actions

Notice they could stay on like Rumsfeld and company, but they choose to do the honorable thing when they get caught screwing up. Big difference.

[Kagemusha]

3. Huh. Kan's been around quite a while.

Interesting shakeup over there.

[Art_from_Ark]

4. The cynic in me says this has more to do with Kan's failure

to make meaningful gains against the ruling LDP last November, among other things. The pension thing may have been merely a convenient way to push him out-- after all, he was only 10 months in arrears.