May 19 and 20, 2016
Regarding an allegation that Tokyo Governor Masuzoe Yoichi used his political funds for personal purposes, the Japanese Communist Party Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Members’ Group on May 19 submitted a written question to the governor.
The JCP in the open letter pointed out that although the governor in the previous week’s press conference explained about his money scandal, “he has yet to fulfill his accountability as there are still many questions left unanswered”. Adding that more suspicions are arising, the JCP urged Masuzoe to answer 13 questions in its letter.
The letter points out that when Masuzoe and his family stayed at a hotel during the 2013 and 2014 New Year holiday seasons, he used money from his political funds to pay the hotel bills. The governor insists that it was a “convention expense” as he had “meetings” during his stay each time. The letter asked the governor if he really thinks it is appropriate to use his political funds for the cost of an activity that has little to do with politics.
During the summer holiday season in 2012, the written question notes, the governor stayed at a Japanese-style luxurious hotel in the popular hot spring resort of Nikko and paid the bill with money from his political funds. The letter urged the governor to explain whether his visit was really a political activity, and if so, what its purpose was.
Citing a recent news report that Masuzoe purchased art works as part of his political activities, the JCP letter demands that the governor make public the aim of the purchases and related materials.
The JCP group requested Masuzoe to make a reply in writing by May 26.
***
Akahata on May 19 reported that when serving as a member of the House of Councilors, Masuzoe used his political funds in a way that strongly suggests misappropriation for his own use. According to Akahata, a New Renaissance Party’s branch, whose chief was Masuzoe, used its funds to buy casual clothing for women and children as well as comic books and children’s books.
The JCP in the open letter pointed out that although the governor in the previous week’s press conference explained about his money scandal, “he has yet to fulfill his accountability as there are still many questions left unanswered”. Adding that more suspicions are arising, the JCP urged Masuzoe to answer 13 questions in its letter.
The letter points out that when Masuzoe and his family stayed at a hotel during the 2013 and 2014 New Year holiday seasons, he used money from his political funds to pay the hotel bills. The governor insists that it was a “convention expense” as he had “meetings” during his stay each time. The letter asked the governor if he really thinks it is appropriate to use his political funds for the cost of an activity that has little to do with politics.
During the summer holiday season in 2012, the written question notes, the governor stayed at a Japanese-style luxurious hotel in the popular hot spring resort of Nikko and paid the bill with money from his political funds. The letter urged the governor to explain whether his visit was really a political activity, and if so, what its purpose was.
Citing a recent news report that Masuzoe purchased art works as part of his political activities, the JCP letter demands that the governor make public the aim of the purchases and related materials.
The JCP group requested Masuzoe to make a reply in writing by May 26.
***
Akahata on May 19 reported that when serving as a member of the House of Councilors, Masuzoe used his political funds in a way that strongly suggests misappropriation for his own use. According to Akahata, a New Renaissance Party’s branch, whose chief was Masuzoe, used its funds to buy casual clothing for women and children as well as comic books and children’s books.
