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Japanese PM apologizes over donations
Source: Agencies |
December 25, 2009, Friday
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JAPANESE Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama apologized after two former aides were charged yesterday with making false financial reports but refused to step down, saying he did not know about the dubious money.
Prosecutors charged former aides Keiji Katsuba, 59, and Daisuke Haga, 55, with violating laws on political funds, a prosecutors' statement said. The allegedly falsified reports involved nearly 400 million yen (US$4.4?million) in contributions.
The scandal has dominated recent Japanese media coverage and cast doubts about the new government of Hatoyama's Democratic Party, which took power in September.
The two former aides are accused of listing dead people as donors to hide the sources of political funds, as well as under-reporting some donations.
Hatoyama, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, bowed deeply to apologize for the trouble he caused his supporters and the people of Japan. Prosecutors said the prime minister will not face any charges.
"I feel a deep responsibility," Hatoyama told a hastily called press conference at a Tokyo hotel. "If there is a big cry for Hatoyama to quit, then I will respect that. But I will work hard to avoid that."
He said he did not gain personally from the dubious money and was unaware of the activities of his aides, who resigned once the scandal broke in recent months.
Sadakazu Tanigaki, head of the opposition Liberal Democrats, hinted that Hatoyama should resign.
"This makes a mockery of hardworking taxpayers," Tanigaki said. "He should promptly take political responsibility."
Some of the donations came from Hatoyama's mother and older sister, prosecutors said. Hatoyama hails from a rich family, and his grandfather was a prime minister.
Hatoyama acknowledged he received 15 million yen per month from his mother to support his political activities, saying he would pay back taxes and penalties of more than 600 million yen dating back to 2002.
Prosecutors charged former aides Keiji Katsuba, 59, and Daisuke Haga, 55, with violating laws on political funds, a prosecutors' statement said. The allegedly falsified reports involved nearly 400 million yen (US$4.4?million) in contributions.
The scandal has dominated recent Japanese media coverage and cast doubts about the new government of Hatoyama's Democratic Party, which took power in September.
The two former aides are accused of listing dead people as donors to hide the sources of political funds, as well as under-reporting some donations.
Hatoyama, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, bowed deeply to apologize for the trouble he caused his supporters and the people of Japan. Prosecutors said the prime minister will not face any charges.
"I feel a deep responsibility," Hatoyama told a hastily called press conference at a Tokyo hotel. "If there is a big cry for Hatoyama to quit, then I will respect that. But I will work hard to avoid that."
He said he did not gain personally from the dubious money and was unaware of the activities of his aides, who resigned once the scandal broke in recent months.
Sadakazu Tanigaki, head of the opposition Liberal Democrats, hinted that Hatoyama should resign.
"This makes a mockery of hardworking taxpayers," Tanigaki said. "He should promptly take political responsibility."
Some of the donations came from Hatoyama's mother and older sister, prosecutors said. Hatoyama hails from a rich family, and his grandfather was a prime minister.
Hatoyama acknowledged he received 15 million yen per month from his mother to support his political activities, saying he would pay back taxes and penalties of more than 600 million yen dating back to 2002.
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