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TOKYO: Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe underwent voluntary questioning by Tokyo prosecutors on Monday (Dec. 21) in a case against his secretary for undeclared political funds, public broadcaster NHK reported Tuesday. , citing unidentified sources.
Abe, who resigned over poor health in September, is under fire on suspicion that his office helped cover the costs of dinners for supporters, a possible violation of funding laws he denied when questioned in parliament last year. .
Prosecutors have been building a case against Abe’s secretary for undeclared funds involving up to 40 million yen (US $ 386,922) and had asked Abe to appear for a voluntary questioning on the matter, national media reported this month.
Tokyo prosecutors said they do not comment on the investigations. Abe’s office declined to comment and requested that the questions be faxed.
The problem also runs the risk of hurting the current prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, who was Abe’s right-hand man during his 2012-2020 term and defended him in parliament.
Suga has already seen his approval ratings drop for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was criticized for joining year-end social gatherings despite asking Japanese citizens to avoid such parties amid a surge in coronavirus cases.
