The summoning did not lead to clearing up the crux of the matter, such as whether there was instruction about altering the documents in question or the factors lying behind it. In order to elucidate the facts and prevent the recurrence of a similar alteration, both the ruling and opposition parties are required to respond constructively.
Nobuhisa Sagawa, former director general of the Finance Ministry's Financial Bureau, testified as a sworn witness at both houses of the Diet, in connection with the problem in which the ministry altered documents related to approval of the sale of state-owned land to private school operator Moritomo Gakuen.
Sagawa apologized by saying: "I have brought about great turmoil in the Diet. The responsibility for this lies with me, as director general of the bureau in charge of the matter back then." With regard to his past answer made in the Diet that documentary records of negotiations with Moritomo Gakuen had been discarded, he excused himself, saying his answer "lacked carefulness."
The documents regarding approval for the land deal that recorded how the ministry had negotiated with Moritomo Gakuen have already come to light. Sagawa bears a grave responsibility for insulting the Diet with his answer that differed from the facts.
Sagawa testified that there was no instruction from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, Finance Minister Taro Aso, or other officials about altering documents, and said with emphasis that the document changes in question were "dealt with within the Financial Bureau." His remark, making clear that the bureau dealt with the matter independently, is grave.
Sagawa refused to speak about who instructed the alteration be done within the bureau, the motives behind the conduct, and other matters, claiming that to do so might lead him to face criminal prosecution. The Osaka District Public Prosecutors Office is investigating the case on suspicion of acts including the destruction of official documents. It is undeniable that the summoning turned out to be vexing and irritating because of Sagawa's exercising a right granted by the Diet Testimony Law.
Clarify discount background
One of the pre-alteration documents contained expressions such as "exceptional matters." Explaining that that was meant to indicate the peculiarity of the conditions of the deal, Sagawa said it had nothing to do with approaches made by politicians.
The prime minister has said in the Diet that he would resign from his position if he had been involved in the land deal. Sagawa said he has not been influenced by this remark by Abe. He also denied influence from Abe's wife, Akie.
Opposition parties are calling for summoning Akie and others as sworn witnesses at the Diet. It cannot be denied that it was careless for Akie to have accepted the request to be an honorary headmistress of a [planned Moritomo-affiliated elementary] school, without sufficiently examining the educational policy and background of the school corporation. There seems to be an aspect of her having been used by Yasunori Kagoike, former head of Moritomo Gakuen, who has been indicted on fraud and other charges.
No facts to indicate any direct involvement by Akie in the deal of the state-owned land have come out. It is necessary to organize the points in question.
The significant point at issue, which has to be elucidated, is why the state-owned land was sold to the school corporation with a price reduction of about 800 million yen. Including a close inspection by the Board of Audit, how such a discount came about and other matters need to be clarified by the government as a whole.
Hitherto, questioning by opposition parties has had a touch of always criticizing the government, apparently with the aim of damaging its reputation. It can hardly be considered productive.
Along with elucidating the facts, the ruling and opposition parties should also deepen their discussions of an organizational review of the Finance Ministry and how the official documents should be managed properly.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 28, 2018)
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