TOKYO, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Japan's State Minister of Justice Mito Kakizawa resigned Tuesday after admitting to proposing the use of an online advertisement during a Tokyo ward mayoral election, in violation of the election law.
The resignation of Kakizawa, a ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker representing the capital's Koto Ward in the Lower House, comes after Koto Ward Mayor Yayoi Kimura said she will step down for her alleged involvement in a paid internet advertisement shown on YouTube calling for votes.
Kakizawa admitted that he had recommended Kimura's team make use of paid YouTube advertising during her campaign without knowing such an action would constitute a violation of the election law.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who heads the LDP, said during a parliamentary session that Kakizawa had submitted a letter of resignation, adding that he felt a sense of responsibility for having appointed Kakizawa in September.
The case is currently being investigated by the Tokyo prosecutor's office.
Kakizawa is the second to quit Kishida's cabinet after a reshuffle last month, another blow to his administration, following the resignation of Taro Yamada, who gave up his post as parliamentary vice education minister on Thursday over a media report about his extramarital affair with a woman. ■
