Japanese Financial Services Minister suicide at home

Japanese Financial Services Minister Tadahiro Matsushita, whose agency has been leading an insider-trading probe, was found dead Monday in what police said was a possible suicide.
Mr. Matushita, 73 years old, had previously suffered from prostate cancer, although he had said in the summer that it had been successfully treated, national broadcaster NHK quoted fellow lawmaker and former FSA Minister Shozaburo Jimi as saying. Mr. Matsushita had replaced Mr. Jimi in June as part of a cabinet reshuffle.

  A police spokesman confirmed the death at Mr. Matsushita's home in Tokyo and said the authorities were investigating the death as a possible suicide. Mr. Matsushita's office also confirmed his death and said the cause was under investigation. It declined further comment.
Mr. Matsushita's agency is in charge of the investigation into a suspected insider-trading scandal that has included Nomura Holdings Inc. He took a tough line on the role of Japan's largest brokerage in the scandal, saying last month the firm 'bears a heavy responsibility as Japan's leading company for the systemic and repeated occurrence of these incidents.'
Mr. Matsushita's portfolio also covered postal services, including supervision of Japan Post Holdings, the country's largest financial institution.

  He had taken the position just three months ago as part of a broader cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.
His death wasn't expected to have an impact on the investigation into suspicious trading dating back to 2010.
Mr. Matsushita was a member of the People's New Party, the junior partner in the governing coalition. He had also had served as senior vice minister at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

  His FSA appointment was his first at the cabinet level. He had been a member of parliament, representing a district in the southern prefecture of Kagoshima. He was first elected in 1993 and was re-elected four times.
Before entering politics, he worked within the Construction Ministry.

 Note:  Article is from the wallstreet daily newspaper