Japanese minister in expenses row

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

TOKYO (AFP) — Japan's farm minister faced calls Tuesday to explain himself or resign in a scandal over expenses, dealing a potential new blow to beleaguered Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

Seiichi Ota, a brash ruling party heavyweight appointed just this month, admitted his political support group booked office expenses of 23.45 million yen (214,000 dollars) despite working out of his secretary's house.

The incident has a hint of political deja vu for the farm ministry, which saw three ministers replaced in 2007 due to money scandals, including one who committed suicide.

Ota admitted not paying rent to his secretary for use of the property, but also failed to explain what the money was really spent on.

"I've been disclosing this information for years...