TOKYO: The top bureaucrat at Japan’s finance ministry quit on Wednesday following allegations he sexually harassed female reporters, saying he wanted to clear his name.

Junichi Fukuda has denied a magazine report he harassed several women, but calls for him to step aside have grown in recent days.

Finance Minister Taro Aso announced the resignation late Wednesday, saying Fukuda told him he wanted to “clear his name.” “I thought it would be difficult to fulfil my job responsibility with the situation after the reports and offered my resignation to Finance Minister Aso,” the top bureaucrat told reporters shortly afterwards. “I apologise to the people I have caused trouble to.”

The Shukan Shincho magazine last week reported that Fukuda had made inappropriate comments to several female journalists and on Friday released audio of what it said was the top bureaucrat at a bar with a reporter.

“I’ll tie up your hands. Can I touch your breasts?” a male voice on the recording says. “Shall we have an affair once the budget is approved?”

The magazine said several other women, who have not been identified, also accused Fukuda of inappropriate behaviour, including asking to kiss them and take them to a hotel.

Japan has one of the world’s worst records for female political representation and has deeply entrenched gender attitudes.

Just 2.8 per cent of rape victims go to the police, according to a 2017 government survey, and the #MeToo movement that has raised awareness of sexual harassment worldwide has had a relatively muted reception in Japan.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2018