Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama indicated Wednesday he may have overbankrolled his political fund management body but claimed it was his understanding that funds in excess of the ¥10 million limit he can personally kick in constituted a loan he would later get back.
Hatoyama made the admission when he and his Democratic Party of Japan-led Cabinet came under renewed fire before the Lower House Budget Committee by the opposition camp, mainly members of the ex-ruling Liberal Democratic Party, over his questionable political finances and handling of foreign affairs.
Hatoyama acknowledged providing his personal assets to his fund management body, saying he had an understanding that the money would be used to cover running costs.