Japan’s foreign minister has suddenly quit after breaking the law by accepting a political donation from a foreigner.

Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara said today he is stepping down for having accepted a political donation from a foreigner, which is illegal in Japan.

The US, Japan and South Korea have said they will not resume nuclear negotiations with North Korea until it ends its "provocative and belligerent" behaviour and takes concrete steps to roll back its nuclear arms programme.

Japan's transport ministry may reform its car recall system, reports said today, as Toyota faces accusations of delays over drivers' complaints.