"After Visiting Hotel with Affair Man, Japanese Incumbent Lawmaker Apologizes for Scandal"

A Night at the Hotel with a Foreigner Man
"Striving to Restore Trust"

A current member of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) apologized for an 'adultery scandal.'

According to local media including the Sankei Shimbun on the 29th, Megumi Hirose (57, female), a member of the House of Councillors (upper house) from the LDP, bowed her head in apology just one day after the adultery allegations were reported in the media.

Megumi Hirose, a member of the House of Councillors from Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, apologized for the 'adultery allegations.'
[Photo by Megumi Hirose Official Website Capture]

On that day, Hirose posted on her social media (SNS), "I deeply apologize for betraying the trust of those who support me and causing concern due to my immorality, and for betraying my family," adding, "I am truly sorry for causing discomfort and distrust to everyone because of my thoughtless actions."

While not explicitly confirming the adultery, she stated, "From now on, I will cherish my family and work harder to regain the trust of those who support me."

The Daily Shincho reported on the 28th that Hirose had an extramarital affair with a foreign man. The outlet reported, "She drove a red Mercedes and went to a restaurant with a man," and "The two spent time together at a hotel until 7 a.m. the next day."

It continued, "Afterwards, she went straight to the Diet, where she was seen looking tired during the Budget Committee," and published photos showing Hirose holding hands with the foreign man.

Hirose was first elected to the House of Councillors in July 2022, leveraging her background as a lawyer who was formerly an ordinary housewife from Morioka, Iwate. At that time, it was the first time in 30 years that the LDP secured a House of Councillors seat in Iwate. Hirose married in 1994 and has two children.

Japanese citizens have reacted to the adultery report with comments such as "It is difficult for someone who betrayed their family to gain public trust," "Pathetic," and "Resign."

Meanwhile, this is not the first adultery controversy involving an LDP member. On October 25 last year, Taro Yamada (56, male), also a member of the House of Councillors from the LDP, resigned from his position as Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and Reconstruction after media reports surfaced about an 'adulterous relationship with a woman in her 20s.'

He admitted to the affair, saying, "The reports that I paid money for sexual acts are not true," but added, "It is true that I had a relationship with a woman who is not my wife. I apologize."