Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, after undergoing questioning by prosecutors Jan. 23, said he has no intention of leaving his post and flatly denied alleged receipts of illegal corporate donations.

Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa faces reporters at a Tokyo hotel Jan. 23. KYODO PHOTO

"I want to fulfill my duties," Ozawa said at a news conference at the Tokyo hotel where the questioning, which lasted more than four hours, took place. He also said neither he nor his former and current secretaries have received any illicit money from Mizutani Construction Co. or any other firms, calling media reports of illegal donations "groundless."

Prosecutors questioned Ozawa on a voluntary basis over an alleged false political fund report related to a 2004 Tokyo land purchase by his fund management body.

The move came after the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office arrested two former secretaries and a current aide to Ozawa earlier this month amid growing public calls for him to resign from the ruling party's No. 2 post or as a lawmaker due to his failure to fully account for his role in the land deal.

In accepting the prosecutors' request to meet with him, Ozawa asked them to conduct one-off questioning, but investigators could ask for another round if they determine his explanations Jan. 24 are insufficient.

The questioning of a ruling party secretary general is a rarity.

In a statement distributed to the media before the start of the news conference, the veteran lawmaker said he "knows nothing" about the alleged false political funds report related to a land purchase in 2004 by his fund management body.