Construction and Transport Minister Nariaki Nakayama intends to resign from his post to take responsibility for a series of verbal gaffes he has made since his appointment last week, sources said Saturday.

He likely will submit his resignation to Prime Minister Taro Aso on Sunday and Aso is likely to accept it, the sources said.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080928TDY01304.htm

Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism Minister Nariaki Nakayama has resigned to take responsibility for his controversial comments that included his assertion that the lack of progress on plans to expand Narita Airport could be blamed on local residents who held out against expansion for personal gain [and that Japan was an "ethnically homogeneous state."].

His resignation occurs less than five days since the inauguration of the new Cabinet on Sep. 24, calling into question the prime minister’s responsibility for appointing him.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20080928p2a00m0na002000c.html