Cabinet members in the midst of suspicion of money-involved scandals

Akahata of February 23 reported that a number of cabinet members, including Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro, are suspected of having been involved in money-related scandals.

A scandal that haunts Agricultural Minister Oshima Tadamori is over the six million yen his office allegedly received from the owner of a building who wanted Oshima to use his influence to have the supermarket in that building cancel its plan to close the store. There is also an allegation that Oshima received money from construction companies as a reward for helping them gain contracts for the construction of a municipal hospital.

Takenaka Heizo, minister in charge of economic and fiscal policy is in the midst of suspicion, since he may have violated laws when a firm his wife runs sold a company-owned apartment building that gave him profit. Under current regulations, cabinet ministers must voluntarily refrain from securities and real estate transactions while in office.

Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro is not free from suspicions either. His brother, who is the prime minister's secretary, reportedly accepted money from Hitachi Metal, Ltd. for information he provided in advance concerning a bidding for a public works project in Koizumi's hometown.

Allegations of bribery are hovering around Home Affairs Minister Katayama Toranosuke, Agricultural Minister Oshima Tadamori, and Welfare and Labor Minister Sakaguchi Chikara. They allegedly accepted donations from companies interested in bids for public works projects in election years.

An Akahata editorial on February 23 stated: "Cabinet ministers under suspicion should make clear what these allegations are about and take responsibility for any wrongdoing. It's unpardonable if they refuse to do so and keep pursuing their own interests, while imposing heavier burdens on the people." (end)