Former Japan PM Abe apologizes over alleged political funding scam 2 minutes read
Tokyo, Dec 24 (efe-epa).- Former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Thursday apologized to the nation over an alleged political funding scam by his office that may have violated the electoral laws of the country.
Abe told reporters that he was not aware that his office had partly sponsored lavish dinner parties for his supporters, which is now being probed by Tokyo prosecutors.
“I would like to sincerely apologize to the people,” Abe said.
The former prime minister said he was ready to “bear a heavy political responsibility, which I accept wholeheartedly.”
December 24, 2020
ANKARA
Japanâs former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday survived being indicted over a corruption scandal, possibly one of the biggest political stigmas in the country, after prosecutors dropped a case against him.
The public prosecutors decided not to indict Abe over dinner parties held for his supporters during his eight-year long term that ended last September, Kyodo News reported.
There was no evidence that Abe knew of the improper reporting regarding tens of hundreds of dollars paid for dinner receptions, the prosecutors said.
Abe voluntarily stood for questioning by public prosecutors last Monday where he said that he was ânot aware that his side had shouldered the costs and their records had not been properly reported.â