Lower House chief Hiroyuki Hosoda has denied receiving support from the controversial Unification Church in past elections, but revealed additional meetings with the group, said a lawmaker who had received explanations from him on Friday.
In a statement released in late September, Hosoda had admitted to taking part in four gatherings between 2018 and 2019 hosted by the religious organization, which some consider a cult, and its affiliated groups.
Shunichi Yamaguchi, chairman of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Lower House, quoted the 78-year-old speaker of the House of Representatives as saying Friday that he attended four more events related to the organization, bringing the total to eight, and sent messages three times on similar occasions.