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Tokyo governor vows to stay in position, restore public faith despite improper funds use

Xinhua, June 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe apologized to the public Monday following the results of a probe into allegations he misused public money in violation of the political funds law, but stated that he himself had not intentionally done anything illegal although the funds may have been "misused."

At a press conference this afternoon, the embattled governor, alongside two lawyers who are both former prosecutors and have been investigating a swathe of complaints against Masuzoe about his alleged monetary improprieties, maintained that while he was "sorry for the concern caused," their was no fraudulent intent on his part and he had no plans of stepping down.

Masuzoe did say, however, that if there had been funds misused unbeknown to him that he was "regretful of this," and in doing so more than intimating that this was the case.

There have been growing calls from politicians, lawyers and the public for Masuzoe's resignation amid an ongoing funds scandal, involving him using around 450,000 yen (4,200 U.S. dollars) from his now defunct political funds body to pay for accommodation and dining expenses for a trip he made with his family to a luxury hotel in the New Year holiday season.

He has also been accused of taking multiple trips overseas since he became governor in 2014, to the tune of 200 million yen (1.87 million U.S. dollars), and has faced accusations of commandeering government vehicles for his own use to visit his villa at a hot spring resort just outside Tokyo as many as 50 times, all at the taxpayer's cost.

Allegations levied against Masuzoe, who is known for his lavish lifestyle, also claim he improperly used funds to purchase expensive art, books and clothing, causing further indignation from taxpayers here.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly will fully make Masuzoe account for his actions in their probe scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday and if any further culpability is found he will be summoned for a further session, the result of which could see him axed from his position, sources close to the matter confirmed Monday.

Masuzoe said previously that he would wait until all the investigations had concluded before deciding whether to step down or not.

He reiterated Monday that he plans, however, to restore the public's faith in him and continue as governor. Endit