鈴木代議士、証人喚問で弁明 | 英語のニュース

News

Suzuki gives sworn testimony before Diet; admits to restricting bids

House of Representatives lawmaker Muneo Suzuki gave sworn testimony before the Diet on March 11

In his testimony, Suzuki, 54, admitted to pressuring the Foreign Ministry to restrict bids for two construction projects on the Russian-held island of Kunashiri off Hokkaido.

Suzuki denied, however, that he meddled in the bidding by designating a specific contractor.

Opposition Diet members claim that, while the ministry had planned to let all Hokkaido-based firms participate in the bidding, eligibility was narrowed to two companies that had given Suzuki funds.

During his testimony, Suzuki was called on to answer several allegations that he inappropriately pressured the Foreign Ministry in a number of cases.

He apologized for the "misunderstanding" caused by his relations with bureaucrats and admitted he had gone too far.

Unlike the unsworn testimony he gave Feb. 20, if Suzuki is found to have given false testimony he could receive a prison sentence.

An opposition lawmaker also presented a declassified Foreign Ministry document dated June 1995, in which Suzuki is quoted as saying that Japan would not benefit from the return of four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido

Instead, Suzuki said that Japan should drop its claim and instead seek economic exchanges with Russians living on the islands.

"If it's true, it is an unbelievable comment," Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said

It was also revealed on March 13 that Suzuki had punched and kicked a Foreign Ministry official in May 1996. The official had refused Suzuki's request to plant cherry and pine trees on Kunashiri Island

Shukan ST: March 22, 2002

●英字新聞社ジャパンタイムズによる英語学習サイト。英語のニュース、英語教材、TOEIC、リスニング、英語の発音、ことわざ、などのコンテンツを無料で提供。
	脚注を印刷吹き出し表示フレーム表示
News Suzuki gives sworn testimony before Diet; admits to restricting bids House of Representatives lawmaker Muneo Suzuki gave sworn testimony before the Diet on March 11 In his testimony, Suzuki, 54, admitted to pressuring the Foreign Ministry to restrict bids for two construction projects on the Russian-held island of Kunashiri off Hokkaido. Suzuki denied, however, that he meddled in the bidding by designating a specific contractor. Opposition Diet members claim that, while the ministry had planned to let all Hokkaido-based firms participate in the bidding, eligibility was narrowed to two companies that had given Suzuki funds. During his testimony, Suzuki was called on to answer several allegations that he inappropriately pressured the Foreign Ministry in a number of cases. He apologized for the "misunderstanding" caused by his relations with bureaucrats and admitted he had gone too far. Unlike the unsworn testimony he gave Feb. 20, if Suzuki is found to have given false testimony he could receive a prison sentence. An opposition lawmaker also presented a declassified Foreign Ministry document dated June 1995, in which Suzuki is quoted as saying that Japan would not benefit from the return of four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido Instead, Suzuki said that Japan should drop its claim and instead seek economic exchanges with Russians living on the islands. "If it's true, it is an unbelievable comment," Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said It was also revealed on March 13 that Suzuki had punched and kicked a Foreign Ministry official in May 1996. The official had refused Suzuki's request to plant cherry and pine trees on Kunashiri Island Shukan ST: March 22, 2002 (C) All rights reserved