Publisher Sanseido Co. apologized Monday for wining and dining school principals at a meeting in August 2014, raising suspicions it was attempting to influence the textbook selection process of local governments.

Sanseido submitted a report to the education ministry admitting that it held an "editorial meeting" on Aug. 23, 2014, in which it received opinions from 11 school principals and others regarding its English textbook being screened by the ministry. The participants were paid ¥50,000 each as "editing fees."

The company also said it will "take a hard look" at itself.