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| Japan 'paternity leave' MP quits amid affair scandal | Japan 'paternity leave' MP quits amid affair scandal |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A Japanese MP who sparked a national debate about paternity leave has quit after admitting to having an affair as his wife was due to give birth. | A Japanese MP who sparked a national debate about paternity leave has quit after admitting to having an affair as his wife was due to give birth. |
| Kensuke Miyazaki apologised for "causing an uproar" at a news conference and resigned his seat. | Kensuke Miyazaki apologised for "causing an uproar" at a news conference and resigned his seat. |
| Mr Miyazaki made waves last month when he became the first ever male MP in Japan to request paternity leave. | Mr Miyazaki made waves last month when he became the first ever male MP in Japan to request paternity leave. |
| He faced strong opposition from people who saw it as neglecting his duties to his constituents. | He faced strong opposition from people who saw it as neglecting his duties to his constituents. |
| 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 and 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 politician Megumi Kaneko, gave birth on 5 February. | The tabloid said the photo was taken days before his wife, fellow politician 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 as MP for Kyoto prefecture. | |
| 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. | 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 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. | "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. |
| When asked if he had had affairs with other women, he said he could not deny it. He also asked for privacy for his wife and child. | When asked if he had had affairs with other women, he said he could not deny it. He also asked for privacy for his wife and child. |
| 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. |