The Japanese finance minister, Kiichi Miyazawa, says he intends to resign after drawing up next year's budget.

The man brought in to turn the country's stagnant economy around, made his announcement after just four months in the job.

Mr Miyazawa did not say exactly when he plans to go, but it's expected to be before the next session of parliament in January.

He also intends to hand over leadership of a faction within the governing Liberal Democratic Party.

The BBC Tokyo correspondent says Mr Miyazawa has been largely sidelined in the making of economic policy.

The Japanese parliament is under-writing a massive economic stimulus package, involving compromises with opposition parties that Mr Miyazawa disliked.