Tamisuke Watanuki, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, has admitted to accepting a 5 million yen donation from the scandal-tainted Japan Dental Association, his office said Saturday.
Former Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Takao Fujimoto, a former Lower House member, meanwhile has acknowledged that he received a total of 7 million yen through donations and other forms from the association, his office said.
The developments came after investigative sources said late last week that the Liberal Democratic Party's biggest faction led by former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto allegedly accepted a check for 100 million yen from the association's political arm prior to the 2001 House of Councilors election.