Abe Apologizes For Past Incorrect Remarks To Diet
Former Japanese prime minister Abe Shinzo has apologized in parliament over false remarks he made repeatedly to lawmakers about his political funds. The apology came a day after one of his secretaries was convicted of misreporting about 300,000 dollars in connection with parties for Abe's supporters.
"Today, I would like to explain the facts again at this committee and correct my answers. I would like to offer my deepest apologies to all Diet members," Abe said.
The issue concerns annual parties held the night before cherry-blossom events sponsored by the government.
The cost of the parties spanning 2015 to 2019 came to about 220,000 dollars. Abe's office covered at least one-third of the total. Some critics say the payments were a violation of the law.
Opposition members on Friday grilled Abe, repeatedly asking him how he would take responsibility for over 100 incorrect comments he had made in the Diet.
Constitutional Democratic Party's Tsujimoto Kiyomi asked, "Don't you think you should resign as a lawmaker judging by the compliance standards of private sector executives?"
Abe said, "I answered to the best of my knowledge, after asking my secretaries. But I have sole responsibility for the wrong answers in the Diet. I will make every effort to regain public trust."
The opposition lawmakers demanded Abe step down from his Diet post to take responsibility.
They also called on him to give sworn testimony to the Diet.
The legal case over the issue was finalized on Thursday, when Abe's aide paid a fine of about 10,000 dollars without any arrest or open trial.
A group of lawyers, who brought the criminal complaint, says the prosecution has failed to carry out a thorough investigation. They say they'll consider asking an inquest panel to review the prosecutors' decision.
