Japanese lawmaker quits over extra-marital affair

Tokyo, April 21 :  Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Friday accepted the resignation of lawmaker Toshinao Nakagawa who quit after revelations that he was involved in an extra-marital affair.

The scandal-hit lawmaker resigned on Thursday from his position as Parliamentary Vice Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry following demands from the main opposition Democratic Party for him to do so to account for his involvement in the scandal, Xinhua news agency reported.

The LDP ethics committee accepted Nakagawa's offer to leave the party voluntarily after he made his involvement in the affair clear in a Facebook post.

In the post, written on Thursday, Nakagawa apologised for his wrongdoing, stating that he had shown his constituents a "lack of virtue" and that now intends to "spend the rest of my life redeeming myself to my wife and family".

LDP Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai slammed Nakagawa, saying that his behaviour was deplorable and that public figures elected by voters have a duty to act responsibly.