Communications Ministry Officials To Be Penalized
Japan's communications minister says ministry officials repeatedly entertained by Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide's son last year will be penalized after investigation into the matter is concluded. He also denied that the matter affected the ministry's broadcast administration.
Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Takeda Ryota answered questions in the Lower House on Tuesday.
An online magazine recently reported that Suga's son, who works for a company involved in satellite broadcasting, repeatedly entertained four senior officials of the ministry with meals last year in a possible violation of the law.
The ministry oversees the broadcasting industry, and government officials are banned from receiving gifts or being entertained by interested parties.
Kamiya Hiroshi of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party said the ministry has refused to answer questions on the matter in the Diet, on the grounds that it's under investigation within the ministry. He called on the ministry to at least disclose when it will make public the investigation results.
Takeda said that in terms of the ethics code for national public servants, it's undeniable that there are questions that company people the officials met over meals constitute interested individuals.
Takeda said the ministry will conclude the investigation swiftly, penalize the officials, and disclose the findings based on the relevant law.
Motomura Nobuko of the Japanese Communist Party accused bureaucrats of influencing broadcast administration, saying that the matter follows a pattern similar to two past favoritism allegations. She referred to the allegations over a purchase of state-owned land by Morimoto Gakuen private school operator and the creation of a Kake Gakuen veterinary medicine school built in a national special strategic zone.
Takeda stressed that the ministry is conducting its affairs appropriately and according to the law.