TV Asahi President Kunio Ito apologized Thursday before the Diet for a news report aired last month that claimed high concentrations of dioxin were detected in vegetables grown in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, calling the report "inappropriate."

"Our use of charts was partly inappropriate, and insufficient explanation caused anxiety among Tokorozawa residents. I offer my apology to farmers there," Ito told the Lower House Communications Committee.

TV Asahi reported in its News Station program Feb. 1 that concentrations of up to 3.8 picograms of dioxin were detected in each gram of spinach and other vegetables grown in Tokorozawa.