Japan's Abe Confirmed to Have Made 118 False Statements Related to 'Cherry Blossom Scandal' in Parliament

'Lies' in 33 National Assembly Appearances
Mentioned 'No Office Involvement,' 'No Statement,' 'No Compensation for Difference,' etc.

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] It has been revealed that former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave false answers more than 100 times in the National Diet regarding allegations that he provided entertainment to local residents at the eve event of the "Cherry Blossom Viewing Party."

According to the Asahi Shimbun on the 22nd, the House of Representatives Investigation Bureau analyzed Abe's responses during a total of 33 sessions held from last November to this March, including plenary sessions of the House of Representatives and House of Councillors and budget committees, at the request of the main opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. As a result, it was found that Abe gave answers that differed from the recent prosecutorial investigation at least 118 times.

By type, Abe repeatedly answered 70 times that his office was not involved in the allegations. Additionally, there were 20 false answers claiming that no statement was issued by the hotel, and 28 instances where he asserted that the difference in amount was not compensated.

However, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office Special Investigation Department, which is investigating the case, examined about 100 people including Abe’s office staff such as the official first secretary and administrative staff who were also accused alongside Abe, and uncovered that statements were issued and the difference was compensated.

This has led to ongoing tensions between ruling and opposition parties in the Japanese National Diet. Takahiro Kuroiwa, acting chairman of the Diet Affairs Committee of the Constitutional Democratic Party, stated the day before that they intend to publicly confront Abe’s false answers in the Diet. Meanwhile, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party insists on holding a closed session to hear Abe’s explanation.

Meanwhile, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported on the same day that Abe was questioned by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office Special Investigation Department. Citing sources, Yomiuri stated that prosecutors investigated Abe and that there is a high possibility of non-prosecution because Abe strongly claims that his secretariat did not properly report the facts such as cost compensation and thus he was unaware of them.

Furthermore, Yomiuri forecasted that the official first secretary, who serves as the representative of the political organization "Shinzo Abe Supporters Association" which organized the event, will be summarily indicted this week on charges of violating the Political Funds Control Act (failure to report) for not properly reporting the financial details of funds raised at the event to the election management committee.

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