This Japanese Politician Just Resigned After Saying He Took Political Donation Of USD8,400

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Last week, the magazine Shukan Bunshun alleged that Mr Amari and his secretaries had accepted at least Y12m ($100,000) from a construction company based in Chiba prefecture, in contravention of Japan's laws on political funding.

"**Even though I have done nothing to be ashamed of, I can't shift the blame for creating public doubt in politics on to an official**," said Mr Amari. Doing so would be against his "**aesthetic as a politician**", he said.

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Mr. Amari acknowledged at that news conference that his aides had acted improperly, citing the investigation by an independent lawyer whom Mr. Amari had hired to look into the matter. The two aides have resigned.

Mr. Amari also acknowledged that Mr. Isshiki had brought cash to his office, but he said that he had told an aide to properly record the money as a political donation.

He strongly denied the magazine's account that he had placed the envelope with the money in his pocket. "**Putting money in my suit pocket in front of a visitor**," he said, "**would be lacking dignity as a human being.**"

**Mr. Amari said that he was resigning for the good of the country, and he noted that he had stayed on the job while battling tongue cancer.**

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**Mr. Amari acknowledged personally receiving a total of ¥1 million ($8,400) on two occasions from the company official**, but said the money was reported according to the law on political contributions. The records his support groups filed with the local election board in 2014 and 2015 back that claim.