Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu is facing a no-confidence motion in the Diet. The largest opposition Constitutional Democratic Party submitted the motion to the Lower House on Monday.

Matsuno is among lawmakers embroiled in a money scandal linked to factions within the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party, including one previously led by late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

The CDP says Matsuno has not fulfilled accountability over the scandal. CDP Diet affairs chief Azumi Jun told reporters, "His office is suspected of making secret funds worth more than 10 million yen from kickbacks from his party faction. We've demanded an explanation in Diet debates, but he has never responded. He has also refused to provide explanations as chief cabinet secretary at news conferences."

Matsuno belongs to the Abe faction. It has remained the LDP's largest one, even after its namesake was shot dead last year.

Sources say the group is suspected of paying kickbacks to members who exceeded their quotas of ticket sales for fundraising events.

Offices of most of its nearly 100 members are said to have received such payments, but kept them off their political fund reports in violation of the law.

They include Matsuno, LDP Diet affairs chief Takagi Tsuyoshi and Nishimura Yasutoshi, the economy, trade and industry minister.

Matsuno said on Monday that facts are being checked within the faction, a complaint has been filed and an investigation is underway. He expressed the need to examine his political organization and respond appropriately.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio plans to replace several high-ranking administration officials, including Matsuno. He is likely to make the changes as soon as this week.

Kishida told reporters that he would like to consider appropriate measures for personnel matters at the right time to regain public trust and avoid disruptions in national politics.