PARIS, May 9 (Xinhua) -- French President Jacques Chirac "categorically" denied an allegation that he is secretly holding millions of euros in a Japanese bank account, his office announced Tuesday.

    "The President of the Republic categorically denies the information reported by the Canard Enchaine," Chirac's office said, noting "The President of the Republic has never had an account at the Sowa Bank."

    French intelligence official General Philippe Rondot told magistrates that some 45 million euros (about 57 million dollars) were paid by a "cultural foundation" over the past years into an account in Chirac's name at the Tokyo Sowa Bank, according to Canard Enchaine, a French weekly.

    The newspaper said Chirac's account had been mentioned incidentally during Rondot's questioning in March as part of a probe into unfounded accusations of corruption made against top politicians including French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy.

    Published extracts of Rondot's testimony referred to an account held by Chirac in Japan, without giving details of the sums held in it. Enditem