The Democratic Party of Japan is demanding that economic and fiscal policy minister Akira Amari provide an explanation by Wednesday over allegations he received money in return for doing favors for a construction company.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on the other hand, said at a meeting Monday with senior members of the Liberal Democratic Party, "Mr. Amari himself said he will explain to the public by Thursday (about the matter)."

The embattled minister said at a news conference he has not heard about the request by the DPJ, adding, "I will hold a press conference by the end of this week" to give his account over the claims within a week.