Photo/Illutration Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, talks to reporters after meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The photo was taken in the Diet building at 9:17 a.m. on Nov. 11. (Takeshi Iwashita)

The leader of the opposition Democratic Party for the People on Nov. 11 admitted to the report of infidelity posted on an internet tabloid news site and apologized for his behavior.

“The report was mostly true,” Yuichiro Tamaki told a news conference in the Diet building that morning. “I sincerely apologize not only to my family but also to all the people across the country who had placed their expectations in me.”

According to Smart FLASH, Tamaki met with a woman who is a tourism ambassador for Takamatsu, which is Tamaki’s hometown and constituency, at a hotel in Takamatsu and bars in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

At the news conference, Tamaki also told reporters that he will decide whether he will step down as the party leader based on the opinions of party lawmakers.

However, he will continue as a lawmaker, saying that, “I will do my best in my job to meet voters’ expectations.”

All DPP members had decided to vote for Tamaki in the Diet vote to fill the prime minister’s position that is scheduled to take place on the afternoon of Nov. 11, before the reports of his infidelity broke in the media.

The DPP held a meeting of lawmakers of both houses in the Diet on the afternoon of the same day.

Tamaki apologized to the party members at the meeting, which approved his continuation as the DPP leader.

“As the father of children and the husband of a wife, I did unforgivable things. I will keep apologizing to my family for the rest of my life,” Tamaki said at the news conference.

When he told his wife, she scolded him, saying, “What are you doing at such an important time?” he said.

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