Japanese Politician Captured on Video Crying Amid Spending Scandal Quits
Rhona Arcaya | | Jul 11, 2014 11:55 AM EDT |
Ryutaro Nonomura, under investigation over allegations of lavish spending, resigned on Friday, more than a week after bursting into tears while giving his side of the story at a televised press conference.
Nonomura, a member of the regional assembly in Hyogo, is accused of misusing ¥3 million in public funds. A video of him weeping and slamming his fists on a table on July 1 during a news conference made it to the Internet and had 2 million views.
Like Us on Facebook
The Japan Times said Nonomura, 47, quit after the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly brought falsification charges against him. The assembly's secretariat, Eiji Kurita, said the assembly accepted Nonomura's resignation, and confirmed that a criminal complaint has been filed by political parties in the assembly against their colleague.
Elected in 2011, Nonomura allegedly splurged on travels, making 195 one-day business trips in 2013 alone. According to the Guardian, the trips included 106 visits to a hot springs resort in Hyogo, but the politician failed to submit a report on the expenses. The Japan Times said Nonomura's public fund report also showed travels to Tokyo and Fukuoka from Nishinomiya.
During the July 1 news conference, Nomura broke down into tears while maintaining his innocence. He said he used the money on "vigorous political activities," but he could not provide documents to back his claim.
When questioned by assembly members, Nonomura said he cannot recall details of his trips and that he had "deleted all data" on political activities and travel destinations from his personal computer.
The assembly chief, Tadao Kajitani, wrote Nonomura, urging to him to give up his position if he could not give details of how he used the money.
The largest party in the assembly, the Liberal Democratic Party, also called for Nonomura to resign immediately.
Amid demands for Nonomura to quit, Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said the lawmaker should first address questions about his spending before stepping down.
TagsJapan scandal, Ryutaro Nonomura, Weeping politician, Crying politician, Japan resignation
©2015 Chinatopix All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission
EDITOR'S PICKS
-
Did the Trump administration just announce plans for a trade war with ‘hostile’ China and Russia?
-
US Senate passes Taiwan travel bill slammed by China
-
As Yan Sihong’s family grieves, here are other Chinese students who went missing abroad. Some have never been found
-
Beijing blasts Western critics who ‘smear China’ with the term sharp power
-
China Envoy Seeks to Defuse Tensions With U.S. as a Trade War Brews
-
Singapore's Deputy PM Provides Bitcoin Vote of Confidence Amid China's Blanket Bans
-
China warns investors over risks in overseas virtual currency trading
-
Chinese government most trustworthy: survey
-
Kashima Antlers On Course For Back-To-Back Titles
MOST POPULAR
LATEST NEWS
Zhou Yongkang: China's Former Security Chief Sentenced to Life in Prison
China's former Chief of the Ministry of Public Security, Zhou Yongkang, has been given a life sentence after he was found guilty of abusing his office, bribery and deliberately ... Full Article
TRENDING STORY
-
China Pork Prices Expected to Stabilize As The Supplies Recover
-
Elephone P9000 Smartphone is now on Sale on Amazon India
-
There's a Big Chance Cliffhangers Won't Still Be Resolved When Grey's Anatomy Season 13 Returns
-
Supreme Court Ruled on Samsung vs Apple Dispute for Patent Infringement
-
Microsoft Surface Pro 5 Rumors and Release Date: What is the Latest?