Japan's economic minister to step down over links to Unification Church

TOKYO - Japan's Economic Revitalization Minister Daishiro Yamagiwa has decided to resign following a series of revelations about his connections to the contentious Unification Church, Kyodo News reported on Monday, citing a government source.

Amid opposition's pressure and slumping support for the government, Yamagiwa has expressed his intention to resign, which is set to deal another blow to the government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, the report said.

The minister has been under fire for failing to explain his dubious links to the controversial religious group of Unification Church as he had been vague about the issue, but later acknowledged the ties when evidence was presented to him.

Yamagiwa admitted earlier this month to having participated in an event held four years ago by the Unification Church and met with its leader there. But he had not initially notified the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to which he belongs, said the report.

Opposition parties have called on Kishida to replace Yamagiwa as a series of fresh revelations about his connections with the group came to light.

The LDP, headed by Kishida, has pledged to sever relations with the religious group. Its in-house survey in September found that nearly half of its Diet members had some links with the church.