英字新聞

--The Asahi Shimbun, April 10
EDITORIAL: Amari long overdue to explain himself in cash scandal
（社説）甘利氏の疑惑　説明責任はどうなった

The special investigation department of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office has opened a compulsory investigation into the scandal over cash received by Akira Amari, former minister in charge of economic revitalization, and by one of his former aides.
　甘利明・前経済再生相の現金授受問題で、東京地検特捜部が強制捜査に乗り出した。

A politician or an aide receiving profits in exchange for favors would violate the Law on Punishment of Public Officials’ Profiting by Exerting Influence.
　政治家や秘書が口利きの見返りに対価を受け取れば、あっせん利得処罰法違反になる。

The nature of the 6 million yen ($55,600), which Amari and his former aide received from a construction company based in Chiba Prefecture, remains unclear.
　甘利氏や元秘書が千葉県の建設会社側から受け取った６００万円は、どんな趣旨なのか。

Amari said he believes the money represented political donations with no reciprocal nature. But a man in charge of general affairs at the construction company has said the money was intended as remuneration for the intervention of the former aide and others in the company’s compensation talks with the semipublic Urban Renaissance Agency (UR). The company later received compensation payments from the UR.
　甘利氏は見返りとは無関係の政治献金という認識を示しているが、建設会社の総務担当者は元秘書らによる都市再生機構（ＵＲ）との補償交渉への介入と、補償金の支払いが実現したことへの謝礼の意味だったと証言している。

While the arguments on both sides remain far apart, it would be inexcusable for a politician or aide to receive money and exert influence on government offices or other entities at the request of the donor.
　双方の主張は大きく食い違うが、政治家側がカネを受け取り、依頼者の求めに応じて役所などに働きかける――そんな口利きがもしあったとしたら、言語道断である。

The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office should do its best to uncover the entire picture of what took place.
東京地検は実態の全容解明に全力をあげてもらいたい。

It should not be forgotten that Amari himself has yet to fulfill his accountability. A lawmaker, who represents the people, has the responsibility to explain himself to the public whenever he comes under suspicion without waiting for investigators to uncover the case.
　同時に、忘れるわけにいかないのは、甘利氏自身が説明責任を果たしていないことだ。疑惑があれば、捜査当局の解明を待つまでもなく、自ら国民に説明する。それが国民の代表である国会議員の責任だ。

When he announced his resignation from the Cabinet at a news conference in late January, Amari did promise to “continue to have the case investigated by a lawyer and publish the results at appropriate timing.”
　甘利氏自身、大臣辞任を表明した１月末の記者会見で「弁護士による調査を続け、しかるべきタイミングで公表する」と約束したはずである。

Some other politicians who came under suspicion over fund-raising irregularities in the past defended themselves by saying, for example, that they had no way to determine the facts because documents had been seized by authorities.
　過去に政治とカネの疑惑に問われた他の政治家には「捜査当局に資料が押収され、事実関係が確認できない」などと弁明する例もあった。

But Amari had two-and-a-half months to look into the case after his resignation. He should be able to publish findings, even an interim report, from the investigation.
だが甘利氏の場合は、大臣辞任後２カ月半、調査期間があった。途中経過であっても公表できるはずだ。

Much remains unknown about the entire scandal, including whether Amari himself was involved in the case.
　一連の経緯については、まだ不明な点が多い。
　その一つは、甘利氏自身のかかわりである。

Amari said during the news conference in January that he had learned only recently that his former aide had been talking to the UR. But UR officials later said they had been told by the former aide that Amari was aware of the talks.
　甘利氏は元秘書がＵＲと交渉していることは「今回初めて知った」と１月の会見で説明したが、ＵＲはその後、甘利氏も交渉について把握していると元秘書から伝えられたとしている。

Opposition parties want Amari summoned to the Lower House Budget Committee as an unsworn witness to dig out the truth. But the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has refused.
　真相究明のため、野党は衆院予算委員会への甘利氏の参考人招致を求めてきたが、自民党は応じようとしない。

Amari has been absent from Diet sessions, citing health problems. He may be unable to come forward on his own to explain himself, but he could still have lawyers, for example, speak on his behalf.
　甘利氏は体調がすぐれないことを理由に、国会を欠席している。だが、自ら説明できなくても、例えば弁護士らを通じての説明は可能なのではないか。

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also bears heavy responsibility.
　安倍首相の責任も大きい。

Abe, who appointed Amari to key Cabinet positions, has admitted to his own responsibility for having appointed him.
　甘利氏を重要閣僚に起用してきた首相は、自らの「任命責任」を認めている。

If that is the case, the prime minister should urge Amari to explain himself. In addition, Abe, who is also the LDP president, should instruct the party to have Amari fulfill his accountability in some form or other.
ならば甘利氏に説明するよう促すべきだし、党総裁として自民党にも何らかの形で説明責任を果たさせるよう指示すべきだ。