Former trade minister Isshu Sugawara resigned as a lawmaker on Thursday after coming under investigation again over a money and gift scandal that prosecutors had once dropped.
The House of Representatives approved the resignation of Sugawara, who left the ruling Liberal Democratic Party the previous day. Prosecutors are arranging to issue a summary indictment against him for violation of the election law, according to a source close to the investigation.
There will be no by-election for the seat vacated by Sugawara as a general election will be held later this year with Lower House members' terms running out on Oct. 21.