New Komeito sent further shock waves through the ruling bloc and the government Wednesday by announcing that 13 of its lawmakers, including party leader Takenori Kanzaki, had failed to pay obligatory pension premiums.
Two other executives of the ruling bloc member -- Secretary General Tetsuzo Fuyushiba and policy affairs chief Kazuo Kitagawa -- failed to pay into the ailing system for a certain period, the party said.
"We have caused great distrust (of politicians) among the public," Kanzaki said at a news conference. "We cannot make any excuses."
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