Japan's Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa has resigned, amid claims that he was drunk at a recent G7 meeting, BBC reported.
Mr Nakagawa said earlier that he would wait until parliament had approved a supplementary budget to step down.
But he brought forward his departure after calls for his immediate exit escalated.
He has apologised for his behaviour at last weekend's news conference in Rome but blamed cold remedies for a slurred performance there.
He said he had not drunk more than a sip of alcohol before facing the media.
"I have resigned," Mr Nakagawa told journalists. "I decided that it would be better for the country if I quit."
He apologised for "causing such a big fuss".
Prime Minister Taro Aso had accepted his resignation and Kaoru Yosano was expected to take on his portfolio, Kyodo news agency said.
Mr Nakagawa's departure is seen as a major blow to Mr Aso's government in an election year.
The prime minister was already facing plummeting support; a poll by broadcaster NTV on Sunday put backing for his cabinet at 9.7%.
Voters are worried both about the economy and Mr Aso's leadership credentials in the wake of a series of gaffes, analysts say.
...