Prosecutors will reopen an investigation into former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over millions of yen spent on dinner receptions held for supporters, after an inquest body decided that an earlier decision by prosecutors not to indict him was inappropriate, sources close to the move said Friday.
The decision by the Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution, dated July 15, relates to allegations of endowments under the public officers election law, as well as failure to fulfill a duty of care in selecting and managing accounting officers under the political funds control law.
The former premier "must fulfill his responsibility to provide explanations about any suspicions" instead of holding his secretary entirely responsible, the decision said.