Japanese Economy Minister Akira Amari resigned today over his involvement in a corruption scandal but denied taking bribes.

Japanese Economy Minister Akira Amari. Photo: Reuters.

Japanese politicians last week accused Economy Minister Akira Amari and his aides of taking 12 million yen ($101,000) in bribes from a construction company. Amari apologized on television today for the scandal but denied taking bribes.

"If it is true, it will lower my dignity, not only as a politician but also as a person. I cannot do that," AFP quoted Mr Amari, 66, as saying before breaking down in tears. But "considering my responsibility as a member of parliament who supervises secretaries, a cabinet member and my pride as a politician, I will resign from today."

Minister Amari admitted that envelopes filled with cash were delivered to his office but ordered his secretary to handle some of the money according to political contribution rules. The construction company refused to take the money back and the secretary used about three million yen for “personal use”. He did not specify the total amount received.

Shukan Bunshun magazine reported last week that the construction company wanted Mr. Amari to help resolve a problem with a housing company related to damage during a road construction project.

The magazine quoted a company official as saying they entertained the minister’s staff and gave gifts and envelopes containing cash, once giving Mr. Amari one million yen. The Japanese economy minister acknowledged meeting with construction company officials but said he could not recall the details.

Nobuteru Ishishara, a former secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and son of a former Tokyo governor, was chosen as Mr Amari's successor.

Mr Amari's resignation comes as Japan seeks to restart an economy "on the verge of emerging from 15 years of deflation". Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe rejected Amari's offer to resign in 2013, after being diagnosed with tongue cancer, and has stood by him since the scandal emerged.

According to VNE