House of Representatives member Junichiro Koga acknowledged Tuesday that the academic record he presented when he announced his candidacy in November's general election was false.
Critics believe Koga might have violated the Public Offices Election Law, which stipulates that publicizing false information on such matters as the occupation and academic and career background of a candidate can be sentenced to a maximum two-year prison term or a fine of up to 300,000 yen. If convicted, the election result would be invalidated.
There has only been one case in which a Diet member was convicted for falsifying his academic background.