Japan finance minister Hirohisa Fujii 'resigns'

Japan's 77-year-old finance minister, Hirohisa Fujii, has resigned due to poor health, Japanese media say.

If confirmed, the resignation would be a blow to Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who took office in September.

Mr Hatoyama has promised to shift Japan to the left after half a century of conservative dominance by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Mr Fujii was one of only a few members in the new government with extensive previous experience of administration.

Mr Fujii, who is suffering from high blood pressure, was admitted to hospital last week for tests.

He has been seen as a champion of fiscal restraint, resisting calls from the ruling Democratic Party's (DPJ) coalition partners for more spending despite Japan's huge debt, the BBC's Roland Buerk reports from Tokyo.

The prime minister is already getting a reputation for being indecisive, and is struggling to revive Japan's frail economy and tackle the vast public debt, our correspondent says.

Mr Fujii had told reporters he was exhausted after weeks of wrangling within Japan's governing coalition to finalise the budget.

He was reported to have offered his resignation after a cabinet meeting he had left hospital to attend.

Mr Hatoyama initially urged Mr Fujii to stay on, before reportedly accepting his resignation.