TOKYO, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s new government suffered a blow today after just eight days in office when the trade minister resigned over gaffes on the sensitive topic of radiation from the tsunami-hit Fukushima plant.
The resignation of Trade Minister Yoshio Hachiro (picture), who handles the energy portfolio, will give opposition parties ammunition for attack as Noda strives to end the radiation crisis at the Fukushima plant while tackling a plethora of challenges from rebuilding after the March earthquake and tsunami to curbing huge public debt.
Japan’s new PM suffers early blow as minister quits
