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Japanese minister 'kills himself' Japanese minister 'kills himself'
(about 2 hours later)
Japan's agriculture minister has died in hospital after apparently committing suicide, reports say. Japan's Agriculture Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka has died in hospital after reportedly committing suicide.
Toshikatsu Matsuoka, 62, who has been linked to a growing political funding scandal, was reportedly found hanged in a building near Japan's parliament. The 62-year-old was found hanged in his Tokyo apartment hours before he was to face questions in parliament over his links to a political funding scandal.
He was rushed to emergency treatment but was declared dead a short time later, according to reports. Efforts to resuscitate him at hospital failed. Officials said police were still investigating the cause of death.
He was involved in a scandal over unexplained expenses claimed for a rent-free office. Opposition MPs had been calling for his resignation over unexplained expenses claimed for a rent-free office.
Mr Matsuoka had refused to explain the expenses to a parliamentary committee but the Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, defended him, saying he had fulfilled his legal responsibilities. Scandals and gaffes
Support for Japan's government has fallen to its lowest level since Mr Abe took office last year, a new poll suggests. "We've confirmed that Agriculture Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka is dead. We are greatly saddened," said government spokesman Yasuhisa Shiozaki.
Mr Matsuoka had allegedly claimed more than 28m yen ($236,600; £118,300) in utility fees at his parliamentary office, where utility costs are free. He denied any wrong-doing.
He had previously refused to explain the expenses to a parliamentary committee but the Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, defended him, saying he had fulfilled his legal responsibilities.
Mr Abe's eight-month premiership has been rocked by a series of scandals and gaffes.
Support for Japan's government has fallen to its lowest level since he took office, a new poll suggests.