Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano said Thursday he withdrew ¥120 million from the Cabinet's secretive discretionary fund but would not disclose how, or if, he used it.
"It is a fact that I requested the withdrawal. I will be responsible in making judgments and will handle it properly," he said.
When he was appointed as the government's top spokesman in mid-September, Hirano told reporters he was not aware any slush funds existed. But Thursday's admission revealed he had his hands in the ¥1.4 billion cookie jar just days after taking his post.