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Sex club scandal shakes Japanese government

Revelations about patronizing a sex club come after two ministers resigned over misuse of campaign funds.

By Ed Adamczyk
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. UPI/Keizo Mori
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. UPI/Keizo Mori | License Photo

TOKYO, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Japan's shaky government, hit by resignations and scandals this week, now must explain a visit to a sex club funded by a political support group.

The admission that some of the staff of Yoichi Miyazawa, Japan's new trade minister, spent office money at a Hiroshima sex club specializing in sadomasochism, comes at a crucial time for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Miyazawa replaced Yuko Obuchi, who resigned Monday after six weeks as trade minister over allegations her staff misused campaign funds in the most recent general elections, with $424,000 unaccounted for.

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Justice Minister Midori Matsushima also resigned Monday after allegations of election law violations and misuse of campaign funds surfaced.

Obuchi and Matsushima were to be examples of Abe's interest in placing more women in the decision-making sectors of his government.

Miyazawa, 64, emphasized he never entered the sex club, although members of Miyazawa-kai, the political group managing his funds, spent $170 at the club in 2010. The disbursement was listed as "entertainment expenses" on the group's fund report.

The club features entertainment that includes the whipping of women who are tied and wearing only underwear, Japanese media reported.

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"It is true such expenses were made, but I myself did not go there at all. That's true as well," Miyazawa explained to reporters.

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