Tokyo: A lawmaker of Komeito, a partner in Japan’s ruling coalition, stepped down as a member of the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of parliament, Friday over magazine reports about sexual harassment allegations against him.

The Upper House approved the resignation of Seishi Kumano, 57, after he submitted a letter of resignation to Hidehisa Otsuji, president of the chamber.

Kumano sent lewd messages online to a female acquaintance, according to the magazine reports, published on Sept. 7.

Komeito apparently hopes to put an early end to the scandal out of fears that the party will come under fire at parliament during an extraordinary session set to start on Monday.

At a press conference, Komeito Secretary-General Keiichi Ishii apologized for Kumano’s resignation.

Still, Ishii said Kumano did not admit the allegations and that he resigned over the problems caused by the reports.

JIJI Press