Ex-LDP member Manabu Horii resigns as lawmaker over monetary donations

Former Japanese ruling party member Manabu Horii resigned Wednesday as a lawmaker over condolence money allegedly given to supporters in his constituency in violation of Japan's election law.Horii, 52, an Olympic bronze medalist in speed skating, tendered his resignation, which was accepted by House of Representatives Fukushiro Nukaga, according to the chamber. He left the Liberal Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last month.Horii apologized for betraying the people who voted for him in a statement issued prior to his resignation. "I have concluded that my decision not to…READ FULL ARTICLE