Japan's minister in charge of disaster reconstruction said Tuesday he would resign after just a week in the post, dealing a fresh blow to embattled Prime Minister Naoto Kan.

 

Ryu Matsumoto, 60, appointed only last Monday, met with Kan early Tuesday before telling journalists that he had decided to step down after making scathing remarks in televised meetings with governors of the areas hit by a massive earthquake and tsunami on March 11.

 

As he came out of Kan's office, he was met by a horde of journalists, who asked if he was set to step down. Matsumoto said, "yes", according to several major media.

 

The veteran lawmaker has faced heavy criticism after he met the governors of hard-hit Miyagi and Iwate prefectures over the weekend and made various remarks that were regarded as arrogant and offensive.

 

Matsumoto told Iwate governor Takuya Tasso that the government "will help areas that offer ideas but will not help those without. I want you to work with that kind of resolve."

 

In a separate meeting, the minister refused to shake hands with Miyagi governor Yoshihiro Murai, who appeared a few minutes late.

 

"You came in late. When a guest comes, you have to be here first before you call in your guest to the room," he told the 50-year-old governor, who once served in Japan's military.

 

"The Self Defense Force does that because they understand the young must honour their elders. Do you understand? Work hard," he said in the televised meeting.

 

- AFP/cc