Pressure mounted Friday on New Conservative Party member Kenshiro Matsunami to resign from the House of Representatives following revelations that he allowed a yakuza-linked construction firm to pay several million yen to cover his secretaries' salaries.
"Matsunami should think what to do if he becomes unable to fully carry out his duty (as a lawmaker)," transport minister Chikage Ogi, an NCP member, told reporters Friday morning.
The NCP, New Komeito and the dominant Liberal Democratic Party form the ruling coalition.