Kan explained during a parliamentary committee session that because the donor had a Japanese name, he did not know the individual was a foreign national. Political funding laws permit lawmakers to accept donations only from Japanese nationals to prevent domestic politics from being influenced by foreign countries.

Kan said his office was investigating the matter and would return the money in full if media reports are confirmed. Major daily the Asahi Shimbun reported earlier Friday that Kan received a total of 1.04 million yen ($12,500) between 2006 and 2009 from a South Korean resident of Japan.

His Cabinet stood by the embattled leader Friday. Trade Minister Banri Kaieda said he accepted Kan's explanation that the mistake was unintentional. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said

AP