TOKYO (TR) – Education minister Yohei Matsumoto, a member of the House of Representatives, this week repeatedly declined to comment on a report revealing his affair with a married woman, reports the Asahi Shimbun (Mar. 18).
In the report published by weekly Shukan Bunshun last week, Matsumoto, who is also married, began the affair with the woman about six years ago. During that time, he engaged in secret meetings with her in love hotels and his residence in the House of Representatives building.
At a Senate Budget Committee meeting on Thursday, Matsumoto said, “I would like to sincerely apologize for the great trouble I have caused. I am truly sorry.”
However, he also repeatedly stated that he would “refrain from commenting on specific details as it involves another party.”
Matsumoto was elected to the House of Representatives for the seventh time at this year’s election. He first joined the cabinet as education minister in the Sanae Takaichi administration that took office last fall.
Due to his lack of responses at the Senate Budget Committee meeting, the House of Councillors Committee on Education, Culture, Science and Technology, scheduled for Thursday, was canceled.
