TOKYO, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Japan's top law enforcement officer resigned Tuesday, officials said, following revelations about illegal political funds and his ties to organized crime.
Justice Minister Keishu Tanaka was sworn into the Cabinet Oct. 1 to help restore confidence in the government of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, Kyodo News reported.
Tanaka "cannot fulfill his duties as he is not in good condition," members of Noda's Cabinet were reported as saying. Tanaka, 74, was hospitalized from Friday to Monday after complaining of chest pain.
He is the second cabinet member to be replaced since Noda took officer in September 2011.
Tanaka admitted Oct. 12 he helped organize a wedding for a senior member of a major yakuza gang 30 years ago and attended the party.
He was already under investigation for allegedly receiving $5,260 in political donations from a foreign national from 2006 to 2009. It is illegal in Japan for public officials to accept donations from someone who is not a Japanese citizen.
Tanaka's office said he returned the money.
