National News

Muraki reinstated at health ministry

Welfare official Atsuko Muraki returned to work after 15 months of leave Sept. 22, a day after being reinstated by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry following her acquittal in a postal abuse case.

"I feel like I've had a weight lifted off my chest and am relieved," the 54-year-old former bureau chief said before going to her office. She has been temporarily assigned to its secretariat.

"I'm glad to be able to return, but am also nervous as there is a blank period" in her career, she added.

She said her eldest daughter told her she was relieved the acquittal was finalized.

"My other daughter said to me, 'you did very good,' like an adult talking to a child," Muraki said, adding that her husband, who is also a high-ranking health ministry official, said jokingly that he will not have a stay-at-home housewife after she returns to work.

At the ministry, she received a letter of appointment from Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Ritsuo Hosokawa.(Kyodo News)

Shukan ST: October 1, 2010

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