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| Japan 'paternity leave' lawmaker quits amid affair scandal | Japan 'paternity leave' lawmaker quits amid affair scandal |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Japanese politician who sparked a national discussion on paternity leave has quit, amid revelations that he had an affair while his wife was pregnant. | A Japanese politician who sparked a national discussion on paternity leave has quit, amid revelations that he had an affair while his wife was pregnant. |
| Kensuke Miyazaki apologised for "causing an uproar" and resigned at a news conference. | Kensuke Miyazaki apologised for "causing an uproar" and resigned at a news conference. |
| Mr Miyazaki made waves last month when he became the first ever male lawmaker to request paternity leave in Japan. | Mr Miyazaki made waves last month when he became the first ever male lawmaker to request paternity leave in Japan. |
| It triggered widespread debate on whether politicians should be allowed to do so. | It triggered widespread debate on whether politicians should be allowed to do so. |
| Read more: Should a male politician be allowed to take paternity leave? | Read more: Should a male politician be allowed to take paternity leave? |
| Japanese tabloid Shukan Bunshun had earlier this week published a photo of Mr Miyazaki with a woman, said to be a bikini model and professional kimono dresser, leaving his home in Kyoto. | |
| The tabloid said the photo was taken days before his wife, fellow lawmaker Megumi Kaneko, gave birth on 5 February. | The tabloid said the photo was taken days before his wife, fellow lawmaker Megumi Kaneko, gave birth on 5 February. |
| Both Mr Miyazaki and Ms Kaneko are members of the ruling Liberal Democrat Party. | Both Mr Miyazaki and Ms Kaneko are members of the ruling Liberal Democrat Party. |
| 'Duty to serve' | 'Duty to serve' |
| On Friday, Mr Miyazaki confirmed he had an affair and said he was stepping down. | On Friday, Mr Miyazaki confirmed he had an affair and said he was stepping down. |
| He said he met the woman when she helped him and other lawmakers dress up in ceremonial kimonos for the opening of Japan's parliament, known as the Diet, on 4 January. | |
| "I remember meeting her three times (after that). The last time I saw her was in Kyoto. We don't contact each other anymore," he said | |
| "I've explained everything to my wife. I deeply regret doing such a cruel thing to her just after giving birth... I sincerely apologise for causing an uproar," he told reporters as he bowed towards them. | |
| The admission drew immediate sharp criticism online, with many Japanese condemning his actions, and also reignited the debate on paternity leave. | The admission drew immediate sharp criticism online, with many Japanese condemning his actions, and also reignited the debate on paternity leave. |
| Mr Miyazaki had told the BBC at the time that he wanted to apply for paternity leave to "set an example and cause a bit of a stir". | Mr Miyazaki had told the BBC at the time that he wanted to apply for paternity leave to "set an example and cause a bit of a stir". |
| It did cause a stir with some saying that as an elected lawmaker he had a duty to continue serving the people. | It did cause a stir with some saying that as an elected lawmaker he had a duty to continue serving the people. |
| Japan has one of the most generous entitlements for fathers among developed countries, but only 2.3% of fathers took paternity leave last year. | Japan has one of the most generous entitlements for fathers among developed countries, but only 2.3% of fathers took paternity leave last year. |