It was reported that on the same day he met the Prime Minister and tendered his resignation, owning the responsibility for receiving an illegal donation from a foreigner in violation of the political fund regulations and the prime minister accepted it.

Commenting on the resignation of the Cabinet minister considered as a possible successor to the prime minister for "politics and fund issues" amid acute confrontation between the ruling and opposition forces, Yomiuri Shimbun said that the power faced a serious crisis.