November 28, 2019

Persons closely linked with “antisocial forces” (ex. organized crime groups) have attended the annual cherry blossom-viewing parties hosted by the PM Abe-led government. This was admitted to by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide on November 26 at a regular press conference.

Diet affairs chiefs of the Japanese Communist Party and other pro-constitutionalism opposition parties on the following day held a meeting in the Diet building. Regarding Suga’s admission of the participation of antisocial forces in the public event, they agreed to demand the convocation of both chambers’ Budget Committee meetings with PM Abe in attendance. They also decided to further increase their efforts to push the government to disclose all material information concerning the “cherry blossom-viewing party” scandal.

After the meeting at a press conference, JCP Diet Policy Commission Chair Kokuta Keiji pointed out that in addition to the presence of persons involved in antisocial forces, it was also revealed that Suga had his photo taken with these persons. Kokuta said that this is a serious problem and Suga’s qualification and responsibility as a state minister should be called into question.

Kokuta cited a case where a male television celebrity made sensational headlines in June after the revelation of photographs of him with antisocial group members and was socially ostracized. Kokuta said that it is natural that Suga should be subjected to social ostracism.

Furthermore, Kokuta referred to the fact that an executive of a scandalous company, Japan Life, which uses a fraudulent pyramid scheme for its business, was invited to a cherry blossom-viewing party and that Japan Life used the government’s invitation as a gimmick to attract customers. Kokuta said that judging from the number assigned to the invitation, this person was selected by Prime Minister Abe, and urged that the government provide the invited guest roster.

Past related article:
> Cherry blossom party cancelled, but opposition parties continue investigating scandal: Koike [November 14, 2019]