2nd LD Writethru: Tokyo Gov. Masuzoe to resign for funds scandal ahead of no-confidence motion

Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe has decided to resign from his position following his involvement in a political funds scandal, a source within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was quoted as saying on Wednesday.

Masuzoe's decision, which has also been confirmed by public broadcaster NHK, comes as the Tokyo assembly is gearing up to pass a no-confident motion against him later in the day.

The embattled governor is accused of misusing political funds on numerous occasions for his own personal purposes, in violation of Japan's political funds law.

On Monday he was grilled by the assembly over his misappropriation of funds and was found to provide insufficient clarification on his spending and in some cases refused to elaborate and provide adequate details when being examined.

Following the grilling by the assembly, he was under intense pressure to step down on Tuesday but stood firm and asked the assembly to hold fire until September to allow for him to better account for himself and carry out his duties until then.

Prior to that he had apologized to the public for his involvement in the scandal stating he intended to carry on in his position and restore the public's faith in him.

Seven assembly groups, however, which include the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its Komeito ally, have jointly agreed to submit the motion to the plenary session on Wednesday.

Wednesday's vote, which will go ahead in the afternoon, will almost certainly be passed, sources said in the morning, with Masuzoe himself confirming his intention to resign, with the governor likely to submit a letter of resignation to the assembly president as early as Wednesday morning.

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 (4,239 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 (1.88 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. Endit