Scandal reaches Japanese leader

TOKYO - Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi missed premium payments into Japan's troubled pension system, his office said Friday, implicating him in the damaging scandal that has forced the resignations of his top lieutenant and the No. 1 opposition leader.

The prime minister, who skipped payments for a total of about 61/2 years, said he had no intention of resigning as he had opted out of the system at a time when he was not required to join.

"If I didn't have to join the system, how can they be called missed payments?" Koizumi asked. "I paid all my dues when it was compulsory."

The admission was seen as politically survivable because Koizumi skipped premiums before 1986, when joining the system became compulsory for lawmakers. He has paid fully during his time as prime minister.

Members of the opposition Democratic Party called for Koizumi to resign, citing his previous declarations that he paid fully.

"He outright lied to the public. Not just as prime minister, but as a public official. He should quit," said Senior Democratic lawmaker Katsuya Okada.

The public, too, showed signs of exasperation.

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