Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori opened this year's regular Diet session Wednesday by apologizing for recent scandals that have rocked his administration.
One apology was for the Foreign Ministry having to file a criminal complaint against one of its officials for allegedly embezzling state funds intended to cover expenses during past prime ministers' overseas visits between 1993 and 1999.
During his policy speech opening the 151st session of the Diet, Mori said the government will "investigate the cause and ensure there will be no repeat" of the embezzlement scandal.