Tokyo assembly OKs resignation of Gov Inose

TOKYO -- The Tokyo metropolitan assembly approved Tuesday the resignation of governor Naoki Inose over his receiving of 50 million yen ($479,150) in cash from hospital operator Tokushukai.

Inose, who was elected on December 16 last year, submitted a letter of resignation to Toshiaki Yoshino, president of the Tokyo metropolitan assembly, last Thursday. Stepping down just 372 days after being elected, Inose became the shortest reign Tokyo mayor in history.

He has said he borrowed the money as a personal loan from House of Representatives member Takeshi Tokuda, the son of Tokushukai founder on November 20 last year, and repaid it on September 25, shortly after prosecutors raided the Tokushukai group on suspicion of election violations involving Tokuda.

Inose, a 67-year-old prizewinning writer, became Tokyo's vice governor in 2007. He won about 4.33 million votes in the mayor election last year, the largest number any candidate has ever gained in a Japanese election.  

A gubernatorial election to choose his successor will likely be held on February 9. The vote will be the third to choose the Tokyo governor in three years.