Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker Koji Matsui

The Upper House member apologized for causing a sensation but denied he will resign over the matter, when the DPJ is calling for Bank of Japan Gov. Toshihiko Fukui to resign for making an investment in and profits from the same fund.

Matsui said he made a profit of around ¥1.2 million from investing in the fund managed by Murakami, who has been arrested for alleged insider trading.

According to Matsui, one of the two secretaries received a salary for 10 months and the other four months, in 2001 and 2002. What they received totaled around ¥1.5 million and was not reported in his official political fund report.

Matsui was employed by the company for about 15 months and received around ¥1.6 million for providing analyses and advising on economic affairs.

He said the incomes should have been included in the official political fund report, and he said he will refile the report.

The Japan Times Weekly: June 24, 2006
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