Inose admits to receiving money from a hospital chain, claiming it was an interest-free personal loan.
ANKARA
Tokyo Governor Naoki Inose, who helped his city secure the 2020 Olympics, resigned on Thursday after revelations that he had received 50 million yen (nearly 480,200 dollars) from a private hospital.
"I shouldn't be delaying government operations or stalling preparations for the Olympics and Paralympics any longer," Inose said at a news conference. He apologized to Tokyo residents by saying, "I tried to clarify what happened but could not sweep away public suspicion."
Inose said the money he received from the Tokushukai company in November 2012 was an interest-free personal loan which he repaid, without the hospital chain's owner receiving any favors in return. Inose announced he will return to being a writer.
The Tokyo Assembly has set up a committee to investigate the allegetions on Inose.
Naoki Inose, a prize-winning writer, served as Vice Governor of Tokyo from June 2007 until becoming Acting Governor on November 1, 2012. He was elected governor of Tokyo, one of the world's biggest cities, in December 2012.
