It took months for former U.S. President Bill Clinton to publicly admit his relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, a highly publicized affair that almost cost him his job.

But Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, the man opinion polls see as "most suitable" to be the nation's next prime minister, wasted no time in taking the bull by the horns.

As rumors circulated that weekly tabloid magazine Shukan Bunshun was coming out with a scoop on an affair it alleged Mr. Hashimoto had with an Osaka hostess, the popular mayor quickly arranged a press conference Wednesday in which he openly talked about the relationship, explaining that he was "no saint" before entering the world of politics.

"Not everything (in the article) is wrong, but that doesn't mean everything in it is true," he said, admitting that he had dined with the woman in the past.

However, he didn't go as far as saying whether the relationship had been sexual, explaining that he needed to talk with his wife first.

"As a public figure it's my duty to answer questions, but this is something that took place before I became governor. I need to think over how much I can say in my current position," said Mr. Hashimoto, who became mayor of the western city after being governor.

As if to symbolize the distinction between his public duties and private matters, the press conference was held at a slightly different location from his regular official news conferences.

The article, featured in the latest issue of Shukan Bunshun, released Thursday, interviews a former Osaka hostess who claims to have been involved in a sexual relationship with Mr. Hashimoto back in 2006, when he was enjoying celebrity status as a lawyer-turned-TV pundit. The affair apparently ended around six months before Mr. Hashimoto ran for the 2008 Osaka gubernatorial election, which he won.

Sweating from the summer heat at the Osaka city hall, Mr. Hashimoto said his wife had already read the article, adding that "she's just a regular housewife - it's a very difficult situation."

"Terrible punishment awaits me back home," the 43-year-old father of seven said.

It's uncertain at this point whether the scandal will have any impact on Mr. Hashimoto's popularity or his political ambitions, but the footage of his news conference was featured on many of Japan's "wide shows," which offer a mixture of serious news and celebrity gossip.

It also does not fit with Mr. Hashimoto's public image. He has been known for taking a strong line on moral issues, recently ordering a crackdown on tattoos among city employees. Earlier in the year he also introduced regulations forcing teachers to sing the national anthem during school ceremonies.

Mr. Hashimoto leads his own political party, the Osaka Ishin No Kai, and has said he plans to field his own candidates across the nation at the next parliamentary lower house election. Sensing his rising stock, domestic leaders across the political spectrum have been wooing him for potential future support.

Mr. Hashimoto first entered politics in 2008 when he was elected governor of Osaka, quickly grabbing attention as a charismatic new leader for his outspoken manner and media savvy. In 2011 he became Osaka mayor after securing nearly 60% of the vote.

A recent poll conducted by the Sankei Shimbun showed that 60.5% of respondents said they hoped Mr. Hashimoto's party will garner enough seats, in the event of a lower house election, to influence national politics.

Mr. Hashimoto's background may have also added to his populist appeal. He was raised by his mother after his parents' divorce, and grew up in one of Osaka's poorer neighborhoods. After graduating from the prestigious Waseda University in Tokyo, he went on to become a lawyer, and eventually, a well-known television personality.

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