Sexual harassment claims hit Japan finance ministry

Japan's finance ministry was embroiled in a growing sexual harassment scandal today after a magazine released what it said was audio of a senior bureaucrat sexually harassing a female journalist.

The Shukan Shincho magazine reported earlier this week that the ministry's top bureaucrat had sexually harassed several female journalists, but Finance Minister Taro Aso initially said he had no plans to investigate the report or punish the official, who he said was "sufficiently remorseful."