Japanese Transport Minister Nariaki Nakayama has resigned - just four days after taking the job.
The resignation is regarded as a blow to new Prime Minister Taro Aso, who took office on Wednesday.
Mr Nakayama was criticised over a series of controversial remarks. He called Japan's largest teachers' union a "cancer" in the education system.
He also angered Japan's indigenous Ainu people last week, when he described the country Japan PM in surprise resignation ...
Japan worker killed in Afghanistan ... as ethnically homogeneous.
Mr Aso is considering whether to call a snap election in a effort to shore up his authority.
His Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has dominated Japanese politics for more than 50 years, but is now facing a resurgent opposition.
The last prime minister, Yasuo Fukuda, resigned earlier this month after less than a year, frustrated by the ability of the opposition-controlled upper house of parliament to stymie his legislative plans.
(BBC)
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