It has been revealed that Constitutional Democratic Party member Mamoru Umetani, a member of the House of Representatives from the Niigata 6th Ward, handed out sake to voters at a meeting in Joetsu City last month. The members of the Diet admitted that they had handed over the items, but commented, ``We have provided them as compensation for meetings.In the future, we will refrain from providing any items that might raise suspicion.''
According to sources, Constitutional Democratic Party member Mamoru Umetani handed out sake to voters at a neighborhood association event held in Joetsu City, which is in his constituency, last month.
The Public Offices Election Act prohibits politicians from donating money or goods to voters, and according to the Prefectural Election Commission, giving donations at events may also violate the law.
Rep. Umetani's office confirmed in an interview with NHK that he had given alcohol, saying, ``We have provided it as compensation for each of our meetings,'' and added, ``In the future, we will not provide any items that may raise suspicion.'' We will refrain from doing so and will respond appropriately in accordance with the spirit of the Public Offices Election Act."
After serving as a member of the Niigata Prefectural Assembly, Umetani ran for office in the then-6th Ward of Niigata in the House of Representatives election three years ago and was elected for the first time.
Neighborhood association official: ``I couldn't refuse as a courtesy''
A member of the neighborhood association who was given the sake by Councilor Umetani told NHK, ``I thought it might be a violation of the law.I couldn't refuse out of politeness, so I accepted it as an offering to God and decided not to open it.'' "I haven't," he said.
Ritmin Niigata Prefectural Union Secretary-General ``Confirm the facts and consider responses''
Ryuichi Yoneyama, a member of the House of Representatives who serves as the secretary general of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan's Niigata Prefectural Federation, commented, ``We will confirm the facts and consider a response as a prefectural group.''