Japanese minister found dead at home

Tokyo, Sep 10 (IANS) Tadahiro Matushita, Japanese minister for post reform, and concurrently minister of state for financial services, was found dead at home in Tokyo Monday having allegedly committed suicide, reported Xinhua, citing local media.

Matushita's wife discovered that Matushita hanged himself in their own mansion, and called police. Matushita was taken to the hospital where doctors confirmed he was dead.

Tokyo Metropolitan Police said the circumstances showed no sign of foul play after preliminary investigation, and police found something like a suicide note near the body.

Matushita was scheduled to attend a meeting Monday afternoon, but he called his colleagues in the morning to say he would be absent.

Matushita, 73, a member of the People's New Party, partner of the ruling Democratic Party, was appointed the ministerial position in the cabinet reshuffle at early June.