The mayor of Komae in western Tokyo expressed his intention to resign Wednesday after four female employees of the municipal government submitted a protest letter saying they had been sexually harassed by him.
Mayor Kunihiko Takahashi, who had repeatedly denied the allegations, said at a news conference, "I have to admit it even though my perception differs from that of (the women)."
He offered to step down after the letter, which included the names of the four women, was submitted to the city the previous day. The 66-year-old mayor is planning to resign within two weeks.