Japanese finance minister Taro Aso is speaking at Tokyo now
- Apologises for ministry's involvement in the alteration
- Says that alterations in the land sale documents were extremely regrettable
- To fully cooperate with the probe
- Some ministry staff ordered alteration of documents
- Entire investigation isn't complete yet
- No intention to resign
- Says that former tax agency chief Sagawa was ultimately responsible
- Will not let this kind of thing happen again (hmm, what about the other stuff that has already happened?)
- Says that alterations weren't aimed at protecting Abe or Abe's wife
Judging by the first few comments, it doesn't look like he will be stepping down.
Alright, he pretty much confirms that now. He also declines to comment about his responsibility surrounding the issue, and says that there are "several officials" at the finance division who were involved in altering the land sale documents.
Aso's comments doesn't add anything new to the picture, but his intention not to resign will provide some further relief for equities. The Nikkei is now back up by 1.45% on the day after "falling" to a gain of 1.10% earlier.
USD/JPY moving a tick higher on the comments, up to 106.59 now.
