Minister Doesn't Deny Inviting Ex - Unification Church Members To Office
Japan's state Minister of Defense has been under opposition fire for alleged ties to the former Unification Church.
Ino Toshiro says he can't rule out having invited people close to the religious group to his Justice Ministry office when he held a post there.
Ino was responding to a question on Friday at a Lower House panel by a Japanese Communist Party lawmaker.
Media reports say Ino invited the people as members of his support group to the ministry and his office in 2016 when he was the parliamentary vice-minister of justice.
Ino said he hasn't found records that confirm the reports, but he said it is possible the visits occurred.
He also said he usually gave a tour of the ministry to his supporters and held meetings with them at his office upon their request.
Ino pledged that he would sever ties with the religious group. The former Unification Church is accused of dubious marketing practices and soliciting large donations from followers.
Asked whether he had disbanded the support group, Ino said he asked its head to end the group's relationship with him and break up.
But he said he has no confirmation that the group no longer exists.