Though Mr Ozawa has repeatedly denied knowledge of any murky transactions, he was forced to resign from a high-ranking position in the DPJ in June partly because the scandal was damaging the government's popularity.

ECONOMIST: Japan��s leadership challenge

Ms Wong decided to announce the news earlier this week because she acknowledged there would be interest from the public as a result of her high-ranking position within the government and because she wanted to protect her pregnant partner from any undue publicity.

BBC: Penny Wong: Australia's non-story of the week

His escape from Camp 14 in 2005, when he was 22 came about because of a chance encounter with a new inmate, a man who had held a high-ranking government position.

WSJ: Book Review: Escape from Camp 14

She was the first woman to serve in a high-ranking federal government position and the reason America was blessed with J.

FORBES: Booked Review: Another Round for Prohibition