Radiation gag backfires on trade minister

Trade minister Yoshio Hachiro crossed swords with the media Thursday by attempting to rub his body against a journalist after touring the stricken Fukushima power plant, sources said Friday.

"I'll give you radiation," he reportedly said to the journalist.

The apparent prank by the minister in charge of the power industry is likely to cast Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's Cabinet in a bad light as takes on the nuclear crisis triggered on March 11.

After the news of his stunt broke, Hachiro said: "My memory isn't clear" and admitted approaching a reporter for a reason he didn't elaborate on.

Hachiro was already in hot water for a separate remark in the morning.

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