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Controversial former Japanese finance minister found dead

  • Story Highlights
  • Shoichi Nakagawa was found dead in his home Sunday, police say
  • Nakagawa resigned after appearing intoxicated at news conferece
  • He had blamed his actions in Rome on taking too much cold medicine
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TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- Former Japanese Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa, who resigned from his post after appearing intoxicated at a news conference earlier this year, was found dead in his home Sunday, police said.

Shoichi Nakagawa resigned three days after appearing intoxicated at a G7 news conference in Rome.

Shoichi Nakagawa resigned three days after appearing intoxicated at a G7 news conference in Rome.

The cause of death was not clear and no will was found, police said.

Nakagawa, 56, resigned in February, three days after he appeared intoxicated at the G7 news conference in Rome, Italy. Japan's prime minister quickly appointed Kaoru Yosano, the economics minister, to replace Nakagawa.

Nakagawa's resignation followed an announcement by Japan's main opposition party that it would introduce a motion to censure him.

He had apologized for his behavior, but denied that it was the result of heavy drinking. Nakagawa said he had alcoholic drinks on his flight to Rome and during the G7 luncheon, but that the real culprit was too much medicine taken because he wasn't feeling well, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported.

In video of the news conference, Nakagawa responds slowly to reporters questions, slurring his words. At one point, he closes his eyes.

The G7 meeting brought together finance ministers from the world's leading industrialized nations in Rome.

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