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Japan’s economy minister grilled over report he took bribes | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
TOKYO — Japan’s economy minister was grilled in parliament Thursday by opposition lawmakers over a report that he accepted bribes from a construction company. He denied any wrongdoing and promised an investigation. | TOKYO — Japan’s economy minister was grilled in parliament Thursday by opposition lawmakers over a report that he accepted bribes from a construction company. He denied any wrongdoing and promised an investigation. |
The Weekly Bunshun magazine reported that Economy and Fiscal Minister Akira Amari and his aides allegedly accepted at least 12 million yen ($103,000) in cash and hospitality from the company over the past three years. | The Weekly Bunshun magazine reported that Economy and Fiscal Minister Akira Amari and his aides allegedly accepted at least 12 million yen ($103,000) in cash and hospitality from the company over the past three years. |
The magazine said the money was in exchange for the Amari office’s help in settling a dispute between the company, identified only as “S’’ and a housing development organization. | The magazine said the money was in exchange for the Amari office’s help in settling a dispute between the company, identified only as “S’’ and a housing development organization. |
Amari is one of the most trusted members of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet and served as Japan’s top negotiator for the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact. | |
He does not face a criminal investigation. Amari vowed to continue his ministerial job and attend a signing ceremony of the TPP agreement in New Zealand next month. | |
“In my political career until today, I have never done anything against the law,” he said. | |
In parliament, Amari acknowledged that officials from the company made courtesy visits to his office, but said he did not remember any details. Some opposition lawmakers heckled him and demanded his resignation. | |
“I will have the case thoroughly investigated so I can be accountable,” Amari told the Upper House audit committee. “My reaction (to the article) was that had something like this really been going on? I suspect this could be fiction.” | |
The magazine said that on one occasion, a construction company employee met with Amari in his office in November 2013, handing him an envelope containing 500,000 yen in cash and an expensive Japanese sweet called “yokan.” | |
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |