Japan Innovation Party co-leader Fumitake Fujita said Thursday he will not step down from his post following revelations that he paid ¥21 million to his secretary’s company, mainly to print political leaflets.

“That’s my intention,” Fujita said when asked at a news conference if he would continue to serve as the JIP’s co-leader.

Fujita’s decision to continue was supported by party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura, who told reporters earlier Thursday that Fujita didn’t need to resign over the incident.