11 Sep 2012

Cabinet minister found dead at home

3:29 pm on 11 September 2012

A cabinet minister in Japan has been found dead at his home.

The Kyodo news agency says financial services minister Tadahiro Matsushita, 73, was found hanged.

NHK said he was taken to hospital where he was confirmed dead.

The minister, who was also in charge of postal reform, is believed to have taken his own life, the BBC reports.

Mr Matsushita was a member of the People's New Party, allied with the ruling Democratic Party of Japan.

He was first elected to parliament in 1993.