Lawmaker under fire

Lawmaker under fire

TOKYO, Japan - Ryuichi Doi, a ruling Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker, apologizes at a press conference in Tokyo on March 10, 2011, for signing a document in support of South Korea's sovereignty over disputed islets claimed by Japan, known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea. Doi said he would resign as chairman of the House of Representatives' ethics panel and from a senior post of the DPJ's Standing Officers Council.

Opposition lawmaker Nakai says no dubious use of funds

Opposition lawmaker Nakai says no dubious use of funds

TOKYO, Japan - Hiroshi Nakai, a main opposition Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker, tells reporters in Tokyo on March 16 that his aide mistakenly booked expenses in a 2005 political fund report and that there was no ''dubious use'' of money, denying his intention to resign his seat or give up the chairmanship of the party's Standing Officers Council.

Opposition lawmaker Nakai says no dubious use of funds

Opposition lawmaker Nakai says no dubious use of funds

TOKYO, Japan - Hiroshi Nakai, a main opposition Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker, tells reporters in Tokyo on March 16 that his aide mistakenly booked expenses in a 2005 political fund report and that there was no ''dubious use'' of money, denying his intention to resign his seat or give up the chairmanship of the party's Standing Officers Council. (Kyodo)

Reform panel on scandal-tainted police holds 1st meeting

Reform panel on scandal-tainted police holds 1st meeting

TOKYO, Japan - Kosuke Hori (standing), home affairs minister and chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, addresses the inaugural meeting March 23 of the ''Council on the Reform of Police Systems,'' a five-member advisory panel charged with the task of reforming the country's police system following a spate of scandals involving high-ranking officers.

Lawmaker under fire

Lawmaker under fire

TOKYO, Japan - Ryuichi Doi, a ruling Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker, apologizes at a press conference in Tokyo on March 10, 2011, for signing a document in support of South Korea's sovereignty over disputed islets claimed by Japan, known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea. Doi said he would resign as chairman of the House of Representatives' ethics panel and from a senior post of the DPJ's Standing Officers Council. (Kyodo)