Japan ruling party lawmaker quits over funds scandal

A key governing party lawmaker in Japan who served in key posts resigned Wednesday over a political funding scandal in a fresh embarrassment for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Kentaro Sonoura, an expert on diplomacy and security, admitted last month that his aide has been investigated by prosecutors over alleged underreporting of political funds.
His resignation, later approved by House of Representatives Speaker Hiroyuki Hosoda, is a fresh blow to Kishida, who has already replaced three ministers in recent months and seen his support ratings tumble over his party’s deep ties to the controversial Unification Church.
The church scandal has been particularly damaging following the assassination in July of former leader Shinzo Abe. The suspect blamed Abe for supporting the ultra-conservative church, which he said bankrupted his family.
Sonoura also resigned from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.