Scandal-hit economic minister Akira Amari, a close aide to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, renewed his pledge Thursday to answer allegations that since 2013 he and two of his secretaries received large undeclared donations in possible violation of political funding laws.
Shukan Bunshun, a weekly magazine, reported in its Thursday edition that Amari and the two secretaries received donations and enjoyed wining and dining worth at least ¥12 million, all of which was proffered by an unidentified construction company based in Shiroi, Chiba Prefecture.
If true, the allegations would develop into a serious political scandal, dealing a heavy blow to Abe's Cabinet. It could also considerably delay Diet deliberations to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, for which Amari was Japan's top negotiator, as well as other related bills, observers said.