Education minister Hakubun Shimomura denied allegations published Thursday by a scandal-raking news magazine that he received illegal political funds, accusing the weekly of failing to confirm the facts.
The allegations by Shukan Bunshun threaten to become a further headache for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a week in which his farm minister, Koya Nishikawa, unexpectedly resigned, also amid persistent opposition questioning over political funds.
Abe has lost three Cabinet ministers to funding scandals in less than six months, including agriculture chief Nishikawa, trade chief Yuko Obuchi and Justice Minister Midori Matsushima.