Japan's agricultural minister died Monday after reportedly hanging himself just hours before he was to face questioning in parliament over a political scandal, officials said. Toshikatsu Matsuoka, 62, was found in his apartment Monday unconscious and rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead hours later, a Tokyo Metropolitan Police official said. "We've confirmed that Agriculture Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka is dead," said Yasuhisa Shiozaki, the chief government spokesman. "We are greatly saddened." Shiozaki said police were still investigating the cause of death, and he could not officially confirm it was suicide. Japanese media reported he had been found hanging in his apartment, along with a suicide note, and efforts to resuscitate him at the hospital failed. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said although Matsuoka had been "under intense questioning" in parliament, he continued to "use his expertise." "I am very disappointed," he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.