Prime Minister’s Ally Quits Party Over Scandal
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A lawmaker who is close to Japan’s prime minister said he is leaving the ruling Liberal Democratic Party over influence-peddling allegations.
Koichi Kato, once a strong candidate to become premier, is the second legislator to depart in disgrace within a week.
“We mustn’t allow trust in the LDP to be hurt even one more day,” Kato said. He denied personal wrongdoing but said he was taking responsibility for failing to supervise an aide who was arrested this month on tax-evasion charges.
Last week, fellow LDP lawmaker Muneo Suzuki left the party after triggering a national uproar by exerting excessive influence over the Foreign Ministry.
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