Former House of Representatives member Joji Yamamoto pleaded guilty Friday to defrauding the state of more than 25 million yen when he pocketed the state-paid salary of a woman fictitiously registered as his policy secretary.

In his first trial hearing before the Tokyo District Court, Yamamoto, 38, admitted he fraudulently obtained 25.49 million yen over three years after his election to the Lower House in October 1996.

"I fully admit the charges and apologize to the people of this country," said Yamamoto, who gave up his Diet seat and membership in the Democratic Party of Japan in September.