Japan's justice minister quits over jokes about job

Earlier this month, Justice Minister Minoru Yanagida joked that he only needed to two remember two comments when facing questions from lawmakers: "I do not comment on specific cases," and "We are dealing with the matter appropriately based on law and evidence."

The remarks prompted a flurry of criticism from lawmakers, who demanded he step down from his post. The gaffe is only one of a number of setback for Prime Minister Naoto Kan, whose plunging support in opinion polls has emboldened the political opposition.

His resignation is a blow to the ruling Democratic party as it struggles to keep Japan's fragile economic recovery alive.

While the resignation doesn't threaten Kan's grip on power, it is likely to further erode public support for an administration already facing anger over his perceived weakness in handling recent diplomatic spats with China and Russia.

Political sparring in parliament has delayed progress on a $61 billion financial stimulus package, and in the meantime deflation and a strong yen threaten the struggling economy.

"It is my fault that I made those imprudent and joking comments, and I must apologize deeply," Yanagida said Monday during a press conference announcing his resignation.

He said he decided to step down after meeting early Monday with Kan, who expressed concern about the debate holding up passage of the stimulus package, which includes financial support for small businesses and local economies. Over the weekend, Yanagida had said he intended to keep his post, despite the criticism.

The main opposition party had been preparing a censure motion against him and threatening to boycott parliamentary deliberations on the stimulus budget if he didn't quit.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku will take over as justice minister until a new candidate is found.

"Our Cabinet will buckle down and sincerely respond to parliamentary affairs so that we will not repeat a similar problem," he said.