Hosoda, Speaker of the House of Representatives, explained the relationship with the former Unification Church to the members of the House of Representatives

Hosoda, Speaker of the House of Representatives, explained his relationship with the former Unification Church to the directors of the ruling and opposition parties of the House of Representatives Steering Committee, saying, "It is not a bad relationship." He stressed that he had never asked the president to cast votes in an election.

On the afternoon of the 24th, in response to criticism from opposition parties that the explanation of the relationship with the former Unification Church was insufficient, Hosoda, Speaker of the House of Representatives, held a meeting with directors of the six ruling and opposition parties on the House of Representatives Committee at the Speaker's official residence. and provided explanations in the form of answers to questions.

In this, Hosoda said that he had not received any specific requests from the cult, but said, ``I thought it was an organization that wishes for world peace and family happiness. For the first time, I realized that it was an organization that does psychic marketing.It's not a bad relationship."

He also stressed that when he was chairman of the former faction of the LDP's Abe faction, he never asked the sect to vote in elections.

On the other hand, he said that he had only attended the 8 meetings of related organizations of the cult, and four years ago, at an international conference attended by Han Hak-cha, the president of the former Unification Church, a meeting was held. Regarding the statement that he would report the contents of to Prime Minister Abe at the time, he said, ``I said it was a service, but I didn't actually report it.''

Liberal Democrat Masahito Moriyama, the head of the ruling party, said, "I doubt that it will be such a point of contention."

Liberal Democratic Party leader Masahito Moriyama, who serves as the head of the ruling party's governing committee on the House of Representatives' Steering Committee, told reporters, "There was a polite exchange in response to each question, and the originally scheduled time was greatly extended. It's been an hour. It's clear that we didn't negotiate something behind closed doors."

After that, he said, "Honestly, I wonder why the opposition parties are asking for Chairman Hosoda's explanation."

Liberal Democratic Party Chairman Takagi "It is the chairman's decision whether or not to hold an interview"

Takagi, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party's Diet Affairs Committee, told reporters, "I would like to appreciate your very polite response as chairman."

On the other hand, regarding the fact that Chairman Hosoda has not held a press conference, he said, ``It is the chairman's decision whether or not to hold a conference, but the chairman has responded politely so far, and I am satisfied.''

Hiroshi Ritsumin Kasa, chief director of the opposition party, "One step forward, but questions remain."

Hiroshi Kasa of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, who serves as the top opposition member of the House of Representatives Steering Committee, told reporters, "We've been demanding that we explain things to the public in an open manner. It remains questionable whether the public is truly convinced or whether they have fulfilled their accountability."

And he said, "After all, the Liberal Democratic Party should take responsibility for the investigation. In response to today's question, I think that the chairman of the Diet Affairs Committee will discuss how to respond."

Representative Izumi Ritsumin "Why don't you explain clearly in public?"

At a meeting of the party's standing board of directors, Izumi, head of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said, ``In the end, the situation remains unclear. He said, "I should have told him about it, but he keeps hiding it all the time, so there are voices saying, 'How is it going as a chairman?'"

Ritsumin Secretary-General Okada "Should hold a press conference and explain"

At a press conference, Secretary-General Okada of the Constitutional Democratic Party said, ``I asked Mr. Kasa, who attended the meeting, about the situation over the phone, but he said, ``I haven't received a clear answer,'' so I don't think that my accountability has been fulfilled. Since he is in an important position as chairman, he should hold a press conference and explain."

Ishin Hiroshi Nakatsukasa "Explanation is not enough, but one break"

Hiroshi Nakatsukasa of the Japan Restoration Association told reporters, "I don't think today's explanation is sufficient, but there has been some progress. There is much more to be done in the Diet, so I'm not sure about this issue." I would like to make a distinction about this."