"Financial Loss from Cherry Blossom Event" Japanese University Professor Files Complaint Against Abe at Tokyo District Prosecutors Office

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Heo Midam] Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe, who has been embroiled in controversy over privatizing the government event 'Cherry Blossom Viewing Party,' has been accused of breach of trust.

On the 14th (local time), according to foreign media including Kyodo News, 13 people including Professor Hiroshi Kamizaki of Kobe Gakuin University filed a complaint with the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office accusing Abe of breach of trust related to suspicions surrounding the Cherry Blossom Viewing Party.

According to reports, Professor Kamizaki and others claimed in the complaint that although Abe was supposed to keep the number of invitees to the Cherry Blossom Viewing Party between 2015 and 2019 at 10,000, he significantly increased the number of invitees for the purpose of seeking profit, causing damage to the national finances.

The accusers estimated that Abe caused damage exceeding approximately 150 million yen (about 157.934 million KRW) to the Japanese government over five years.

At a press conference held in Tokyo on the same day, Professor Kamizaki stated, "It is an absolutely unacceptable issue that a person who should lead by complying with laws privatized the national budget and used it for his own and his political organization's benefit."

The Cherry Blossom Viewing Party is an event funded by the government budget to invite and encourage individuals with public and meritorious achievements from various sectors. In recent years, suspicions have been raised that many of Abe's supporters were invited and antisocial forces even attended, sparking controversy.