Embattled Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe, who has been under fire amid allegations that he repeatedly used political funds for private purposes, apologized Friday but maintained his actions were within the law.
"I would like to offer my deep apologies from the bottom of my heart," Masuzoe told reporters during a news conference at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office.
The weekly Shukan Bunshun magazine earlier this week reported that Masuzoe paid a total of ¥371,100 to a resort hotel in Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture, on two dates in 2013 and 2014, which he expensed as "conference fees" despite staying at the facility with his family.