Japanese prosecutors launch direct investigation of Abe... Suspicion of reimbursement for participation fee in 'Sakura Gathering' eve event

"Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office Special Division Requests Voluntary Interrogation of Abe"
Abe, who has denied allegations so far, says "I have not heard of it"

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] On the 3rd, NHK and other broadcasters reported that Japanese prosecutors have launched a direct investigation into former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe regarding allegations of providing entertainment to supporters in connection with the eve party of the "Cherry Blossom Viewing Gathering."

NHK, citing sources, reported that the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office's Special Investigation Department requested a "voluntary questioning" of former Prime Minister Abe himself. Voluntary questioning is one of the investigative methods used by Japanese prosecutors to hear circumstances or details of a case, conducted on suspects or witnesses who are not detained.

Japanese prosecutors plan to indict Abe's chief secretary on charges of failing to record the reimbursement of the eve party's hosting costs in the political funds income and expenditure report. Prosecutors are investigating allegations that the support group provided entertainment by reimbursing event costs beyond the participation fees paid by attendees at annual events held from 2013 to last year. The prosecutors are investigating not only the reimbursed participation fees but also the failure to record the full amount of expenses in the report, estimating the total unreported amount to be around 40 million yen (approximately 420 million KRW).

NHK stated, "While it can be seen that the Special Investigation Department is conducting an investigation on charges of violating the Political Funds Control Act due to Abe's secretary failing to record income and expenditure in the support group's political funds report, it appears they judged it necessary to hear explanations from former Prime Minister Abe himself regarding his awareness of the report's contents." It is reported that this is the first time the Special Investigation Department has requested voluntary questioning of former Prime Minister Abe himself.

However, NHK reported that Abe met with reporters in the afternoon and said he had not heard about the Special Investigation Department's request for voluntary questioning. Abe has denied the reimbursement of the difference, stating in responses to the National Diet that he heard the hotel set the participation fee relatively low.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.