The opposition camp questioned Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday over his decision to announce millions of dollars in nonmilitary aid to countries battling the Islamic State group at a time when Japanese citizens were known to be among its captives.
In the Diet's first question-and-answer session since the assembly opened Monday, Seiji Maehara, former president of the Democratic Party of Japan, asked Abe whether the administration had fully assessed the possible consequences.
"In Egypt, (Abe) pledged to provide a total of $200 million in aid to countries in the region battling the (Islamic State group), and as a result, it was used in their criminal declaration," Maehara told Lower House lawmakers.