Japan's Reconstruction Minister Akiba Kenya has refused to step down from his Cabinet post amid calls from the opposition camp that he resign.
The Liberal Democrat has been mired in scandals over a possible election violation, political funds and alleged links to the controversial religious group formerly known as the Unification Church.
Investigators have raided the offices of two major ad agencies, Hakuhodo and Tokyu Agency, over alleged bid-rigging involving test events for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
Tokyo prosecutors and the Japan Fair Trade Commission also searched two other firms on Monday.
Sources say Tokyo prosecutors questioned former prime minister Abe Shinzo on a voluntary basis on Monday over alleged political funding violations involving his support group.
One of Abe's secretaries, who heads his support group, is said to be under investigation on suspicion of violating the political funds control law.
Former Japanese agriculture minister Yoshikawa Takamori says he will resign as a lawmaker amid allegations that he received cash from a lobbyist.
Sources say a former head of a major egg production company in Hiroshima Prefecture disclosed that he gave cash totaling five million yen, or about 48,000 dollars, to Yoshikawa.
TOKYO — Nissan Chief Executive Makoto Uchida told shareholders Monday he is giving up half his pay after the Japanese automaker sank into the red amid plunging sales and plant closures in Spain and Indonesia.
On June 10, talent agency Production Jinrikisha announced that Watabe Ken of comedian duo Unjash will be refraining from his activities for the time being.
The widow of an ex-finance ministry official, who committed suicide after he was forced to falsify ministry documents, has filed a lawsuit. She is demanding damages from the government and former chief of the ministry's financial bureau, Nobuhisa Sagawa, who allegedly instructed her husband to falsify the documents.
The suit was filed with a court in Osaka, western Japan, on Wednesday, seeking about 110 million yen, or over 1 million dollars.
It's been revealed that SCANDAL will hold their first North American tour in 2 years.
SCANDAL are set to release their new album "Kiss from the darkness" from their private label 'her' on February 12. The North American tour will be a part of their world tour that will be held to commemorate the album's release. At this time, four locations have been announced including California, Texas, Georgia, and Toronto.
SCANDAL have added more shows to their world tour 'SCANDAL WORLD TOUR 2020: Kiss from the darkness' that's scheduled to kick off this March.
At this time, they have announced dates for the Europe segment of the tour, which will be held in September. Ticket details will be posted on the band's official website.