TOKYO (Reuters) – Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday apologized for denying allegations that his office may have possibly violated Japan’s strict political funding laws and admitted he was unaware what his office had done.
Abe said he will correct his false statements in parliament on Friday, marking a stunning reversal of fortunes for Japan’s longest-serving premier and one of its political bluebloods, whose grandfather and great-uncle also held the post.
Abe repeatedly denied the allegations that his office helped cover the costs of dinner parties for supporters under questioning by opposition lawmakers last year.
During the news conference on Thursday, he said he was unaware of how his office handled the funds, but felt “heavy responsibility” for the situation.
“I can’t help but explain the facts and correct my statements to the parliament,” he said. “I am taking seriously my political responsibility for causing this situation,” he told reporters.
“Although accounting was handled without my knowledge, I feel moral responsibility. I am deeply reflecting on myself, and I apologize to the people,” said Abe.
Japan has strict political funding laws that prevent politicians from giving money or gifts to supporters.
Tokyo prosecutors on Thursday handed a summary indictment against Abe’s secretary, Hiroyuki Haikawa, but had decided not to press charges against Abe, domestic media reported.
Prosecutors had been building a case against the 61-year-old over unreported funds involving as much as 40 million yen ($386,210).
Haikawa was not immediately available for comment.
Abe had appeared for voluntary questioning by the prosecution on Monday about the issue and again denied his involvement, media said.
The scandal risks hurting current Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who was Abe’s right-hand man during his 2012-2020 tenure and defended him in parliament.
Suga, who has been best by other controversies and whose support ratings have fallen in recent weeks, is slated to hold a news conference on Friday at 6 p.m. Japan time (0900 GMT).
($1 = 103.5700 yen)
(Reporting by Yoshifumi Takemoto, Antoni Slodkowski and Ju-min Park; additional reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto, Chris Gallagher and Daniel Leussink; editing by Richard Pullin, Alexandra Hudson)
