OSAKA -- The Higashi-Osaka Municipal Assembly on Monday unanimously called on Mayor Ikuo Shimizu to step down following his arrest for helping a friend falsely register as a resident of the city.
Both the ruling and opposition parties unanimously adopted a statement calling for the mayor's resignation, which was later conveyed to Shimizu through a lawyer, officials said.
The ruling Komei party, which is preparing a no-confidence motion against Shimizu, requested the same day that acting Mayor Yoshikichi Nakatani convene an extraordinary session so the motion can be voted on.
Shimizu was arrested April 23 on suspicion of arranging the registration of an acquaintance to enable her to illegally receive benefits from the town's health insurance and pension system. He is also under suspicion of aiding other acquaintances in a similar way.
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