TOKYO (TR) – The Democratic Party for the People has indefinitely suspended House of Representatives member Masaki Hiraiwa for concealing his marriage and dating a woman under a false name, reports Jiji Press (Apr. 23).
At a general meeting of both houses of parliament on Wednesday, the party issued the indefinite punishment, which is based on the party’s rules. The party’s ethics committee will investigate the matter in the future.
The day before, Hiraiwa, a native of Osaka Prefecture, revealed on his website that he had been interviewed by Shukan Gendai about his relationship with the woman.
In a statement, he admitted to the allegations and apologized. “My actions were brought about by my own shallowness, and when I think of the mental pain I have caused the other person, my wife and family, I am filled with deep remorse and regret,” he wrote.
The politician also stated that he would like to take time to consider what to do with himself.
On April 29, 2024, Hiraiwa was victorious on the Democratic Party for the People ticket in the Osaka 8th district in the House of Representatives election. In the next election in October, he lost, coming in third out of five candidates. However, he was re-elected after the party secured two seats in the proportional representation in the Kinki block.
