NHK World News ---- Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai Description -- Japan's justice minister is stepping down after acknowledging ties with an organized crime syndicate decades ago. Keishu Tanaka submitted a letter of resignation to Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Tuesday morning, less than one month into the job. He was under pressure to resign after media reports that he attended a party hosted by a gang leader about 30 years ago and acted as a go-between at a wedding for a senior member of a gang. On October 12th, Tanaka admitted to the ties, but refused to step down, insisting that he never knew they were gangs. A Democratic Party chapter headed by Tanaka was also found to have received donations from a company run by a foreign national. Such donations are banned under the political funds control law. Last Thursday, Tanaka skipped a Diet debate that he was supposed to attend, citing other duties. The following day, he complained of chest pain and an irregular pulse, and checked into a hospital. He left the hospital on Monday. Tanaka's resignation was widely seen as inevitable within the government and the ruling Democratic Party. Tanaka was appointed justice minister only 3 weeks ago as part of a cabinet reshuffle. Opposition parties are expected to hold Prime Minister Noda responsible for making the appointment. This would be a fresh blow to the administration, whose public support rating is already sagging. Oct. 23, 2012 - Updated 01:46 UTC (10:46 JST)