Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has failed to pay national pension premiums, Japanese media reported Friday.

Koizumi did not join the national pension plan for six years between April 1980 and March 1986, Kyodo News quoted one of his aides as saying, adding there is no legal problem because it was not mandatory for parliament members at that time.

If confirmed, he will be the highest political figure involved in a series of scandals over the unpaid money.

So far, among the 18 cabinet members, eight have been found to fail to pay the pension premiums, including Koizumi himself. ChiefCabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda stepped down last Friday to take the responsibility, followed by Kan several days later.

Around one in seven lawmakers have been reported to fail to paythe money.

Source: Xinhua