AKIPRESS.COM - Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe has said he is standing down amid a spending scandal, Japanese media report.

Yoichi Masuzoe has faced fierce criticism over allegations he used official funds to pay for holidays, art and comic books for his children, BBC reports.

He had been expected to lose a no-confidence vote in the Japanese capital's assembly later on Wednesday.

The scandal, which threatened to embarrass the 2020 Olympic host city, comes ahead of upper house elections.

It is being seen as potentially damaging to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) chances in the 10 July vote.

Mr Masuzoe, who won election promising a scandal-free administration, has denied breaking the law, but admitted to ethical lapses around his lavish spending.

In April, it was revealed that Mr Masuzoe was using his official car to be driven to a weekend cottage south of Tokyo.

Further allegations later emerged of excessive spending on official trips, accommodation in high-end spas, lavish family outings and expensive clothing.

He said many of the items, including Chinese silk shirts, were research or work-related materials. He also initially said reservations had been made by his assistants and that his accountant may have erroneously booked some personal expenses as work-related.