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Tuesday, 11th September 2012
In General Japan News,

Japanese banking minister to be accused of affair after death

Japan's banking minister Tadahiro Matsushita was discovered hanging at his home yesterday (September 10th) with reports now surfacing that a magazine is bent on publishing details of an extra-marital affair.

The 73-year-old, who was a member of the People's New Party, is believed to have taken his own life.

Tabloid publication Shukan Shincho is expected to allege the politician was caught up in a scandal that was "related to a woman", a spokeswoman for the magazine told the AFP.

Other press reports also cited the potential for the magazine to run an expose on the former state minister's personal life.

Prime minister Yoshihiko Noda paid tribute to the passing of Mr Matsushita, who played an important role in the Democratic Party's junior coalition.

Kyoto news agency quoted him as saying: "I'm shocked to hear the sad news. He always gave me encouragement when things were tough."

Fellow cabinet member Jun Azumi is set to replace the deceased as finance minister.

Posted by Mark Smith