Tokyo governor under fire for luxury spend

Tokyo’s embattled governor apologised on Wednesday in the face of rising public anger over alleged inappropriate spending on everything from luxury hotel suites to children’s pyjamas.

“I apologise to the people of Tokyo and the metropolitan assembly from the bottom of my heart,” Yoichi Masuzoe said with a deep bow during his speech to the local legislature.

Trouble started late April when reports emerged that he was using his official car to be driven at the weekends to and from a cottage south of Tokyo.

It subsequently came out that official trips taken to London and Paris in 2015 cost taxpayers a total of 50 million yen ($455,000), with Mr Masuzoe flying first class and staying in luxury suites.

Masuzoe is also reported to have allegedly used political funds, including money that came from donations as well as taxes, to buy a variety of items including men’s undershirts and children’s pyjamas.