Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama faced a new scandal Nov. 2 when it was revealed he failed to declare income from stock sales, giving the opposition ammunition heading into a three-day Lower House Budget Committee session.

"This is a personal affair of the prime minister," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano told reporters in an apparent attempt to contain the fallout.

Earlier in the day, reports swirled that Hatoyama did not declare ¥72 million in income obtained through stock sales in 2008.

Hatoyama already faces flak for filing falsified fundraising reports, a sore spot brought up by the opposition, particularly the Liberal Democratic Party, during the first day of the committee session.

LDP Secretary General Tadamori Oshima slammed Hatoyama for failing to explain why his fundraising reports listed dead people and nondonors as financial contributors.

"I say for your own sake as the prime minister that you should clarify the details to the public," Oshima said during the committee session.

Hatoyama apologized for failing to declare the income and claimed he "was not aware" of the mistake. He blamed a communications breakdown with his office personnel. He declined to provide further details. His office meanwhile said the tax report has been corrected.

The LDP locked horns with the Democratic Party of Japan administration on other matters as well, hitting the Cabinet hard for weakening ties with the United States.

"The Cabinet is showing signs of inconsistency and arrogance," Oshima said.