SAPPORO (Kyodo) Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker Chiyomi Kobayashi announced her resignation Monday from the Lower House, hours after a union official was convicted in connection with illegal donations to her election campaign last summer.
Kobayashi, 41, a second-term lawmaker representing the Hokkaido No. 5 single-seat district, told reporters in Chitose, Hokkaido, she will resign Wednesday at the end of the legislative session, which the ruling DPJ has decided not to extend.