40 percent of Japanese want central bank chief to quit

Forty percent of Japanese questioned think embattled central bank chief Toshihiko Fukui should resign over a scandal in which he invested in a controversial fund, according to a new poll.

The Bank of Japan governor has admitted keeping an investment in the fund of high-profile investor Yoshiaki Murakami, who was arrested earlier this month on allegations of insider trading.

Forty percent believe that Fukui should resign over the scandal, said a survey carried out jointly by the Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan’s best-read daily, and NTT Resonant Inc., an Internet service company.

Another 27 percent said they agreed with Fukui’s decision to take responsibility by returning part of his salary and eight percent think his earlier apology was sufficient, it said.

Only 14 percent said the scandal did not require the central banker to take responsibility, with the remainder giving other responses.

The poll looked at responses from 803 people selected as representative out of a larger sample pool.

Fukui has said he will not pocket any of the profit from his investment and will give up 30 percent of his salary for the next six months.

He has rejected calls for his resignation made by the opposition and received the backing of the government and prominent business leaders, who largely praise his handling of the economy since he took office in 2003.

Murakami had been seen as a trailblazer for launching Japan’s first aggressive takeover bid and campaigned on behalf of shareholders’ rights.

Fukui, who was in the private sector when he put in 10 million yen (87,700 dollars), defended his investment, saying he wanted to support entrepreneurship and did not suspect any wrongdoing at the time by Murakami.

Murakami was arrested on June 5 on allegations of insider trading related to scandal-tainted Internet firm Livedoor.

SOURCE: AFP