With allegations of corruption against economic and fiscal policy minister Akira Amari showing no signs of abating, Democratic Party of Japan President Katsuya Okada accused Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday of sharing "grave responsibility" over the scandal.
Okada started what was supposed to be his argument against Abe's policy speech last week by lashing out at the prime minister's role in the alleged impropriety.
"Minister Amari is one of your closest allies," he said. "You are responsible for appointing him in the first place and you yourself bear a grave responsibility to explain yourself. You must not run away."