China News Service, November 24. According to a report by the Japan Broadcasting Association (NHK), on the afternoon of the 24th local time, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe responded to the prosecutor's claim that he was suspected of embezzling public funds to hold a banquet, saying that he "will fully cooperate with the investigation."
On the afternoon of the 24th local time, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe responded to the prosecution's claim that he was suspected of embezzling public funds to host a banquet, saying that he "will fully cooperate with the investigation."
Image source: Screenshot of the social media account of the Japan Broadcasting Association (NHK)
According to reports, Abe stated that he was aware of the ongoing investigation by the Special Search Department and said that "(Abe) Office will fully cooperate with the investigation."
Later, when asked about his specific views on this issue, Abe only said, "Because the investigation is still ongoing, I have no comment at this stage."
According to previous reports, the Special Search Department of the Tokyo Metropolitan Prosecutors Office believed that Abe and its support club may have spent about 8 million yen (approximately 504,000 yuan) on the banquet held by Abe on the eve of the "cherry blossom viewing party." The funds used to fill the shortfall in activity costs are currently being investigated, including many people including Abe’s former secretary.
Data map: Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the "Sakura Viewing Party" held at Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo.
Photo by Sun Ran from China News Agency
Regarding the specific source of funds, it is still under investigation.
Earlier, some opposition parties pointed out that Abe may have used public funds to entertain his supporters by taking advantage of the "cherry blossom viewing party."
However, Abe denied all the allegations and said that his support club had no revenue or expenditure during the "Eve Ceremony".
Since 1952, the Japanese government has held cherry blossom viewing parties in Shinjuku Gyoen, the capital of Tokyo, inviting representatives from all walks of life to admire the cherry blossoms with the prime minister. The government shall bear the cost.
During Abe's administration, the cherry blossom viewing club budget increased significantly.
According to data from the Cabinet Office of Japan, the expenditure for the cherry blossom viewing event in 2014 was about 30 million yen, which increased to 55 million yen in 2019, and the number of participants increased from about 14,000 to 18,000.