Lawmaker Kazuaki Miyaji tendered his resignation Monday as senior vice health minister to take responsibility for allegedly using his political influence to help the grandson of a key supporter get into Teikyo University's medical school.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi accepted the resignation, hoping the incident will not hinder the enactment of medical bills now in the House of Councilors.
"I cannot remain in the post anymore since (the scandal) has hampered deliberation in the Diet," Miyaji reportedly told health minister Chikara Sakaguchi as he expressed his intention to resign.
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