Regarding the story "Opposition makes plans to grill economy chief Amari" in the Jan. 25 edition, the Democratic Party of Japan's response to Akira Amari's offer to explain his conduct with regard to recent allegations made against him just goes to show how lackluster and ineffectual opposition parties are in Japan.

A senior minister of state has been accused of breaking the law, and under no circumstances is it reasonable for him to expect anyone to give him a week to remember what happened.

The DPJ should be heaping scorn and derision on him, and demanding answers now. The police would surely do so if Amari were an ordinary suspect in an ordinary criminal case, but clearly hereditary politicians in such high standing with the prime minister are not held to such high standards of accountability.

SIMON FOSTON

KAGOSHIMA

The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.