Japan's foreign minister quits

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

The departure of Seiji Maehara, 48, is another blow to the embattled administration of prime minister Naoto Kan.

Mr Maehara, in the post for just six months and viewed as a leading candidate to succeed Mr Kan, admitted receiving a total of €2,150 over several years from a 72-year-old Korean woman whom he said had been a friend since childhood.