Earlier in December, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dodged a bullet as Tokyo prosecutors decided not to indict him over allegations that his supporters group failed to report about ¥30 million spent on gatherings between 2016 and 2018.
But as criticism mounted against the former prime minister following the summary indictment of his secretary, Abe, in a highly unusual move, apologized before sessions of both Diet chambers.
“I’m acutely aware of the significance of my political responsibility. Again, I apologize to all members of the public and lawmakers,” Abe said during a Diet session on Friday.