Inquest Panel Votes To Reopen Probe Into Abe's Aides Over Political Fund Reports
A Japanese prosecution inquest panel says it was unjust for prosecutors not to indict two former aides of the late former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo over political fund reports.
A group of lawyers from across Japan and other people accused Abe and others, including a state-paid secretary to the late prime minister, of having made false financial statements to make ends meet on paper.
The statements were related to revenues and expenses for parties held for the former prime minister's supporters on the eve of government-sponsored cherry blossom-viewing gatherings.
Tokyo prosecutors decided in December last year not to bring charges against the accused, citing a lack of evidence.
On Thursday, the inquest panel said that its members found the prosecutors' decision not to indict the two former aides as unjust.
The panel said the probe into how the funds were used was insufficient, and prosecutors should further look into the allegation by confiscating related documents and other means.
It also called for measures, including amendments to the law, to prohibit inappropriate accounting practices.
Lawyer Izumisawa Akira who had filed a complaint with the inquest panel said that he wants prosecutors to conduct a thorough investigation.
Prosecutors will now conduct a fresh probe to decide whether to bring charges against the two people.
The former state-paid secretary was given a summary order in 2020 to pay a fine for having failed to declare expenses and revenues related to the parties in violation of the political funds control law. The figures in question totaled about 30 million yen, or about 200,000 dollars.