Japanese Prime Minister Suga Apologizes for Ruling Party Lawmakers' Late-Night Club Visits as "Very Sorry"

During State of Emergency, Late-Night Bar and Club Entry Restricted
Citizens Urged to Refrain from Going Out After 8 PM

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga publicly apologized for ruling party senior lawmakers dining late at night in bars and clubs while a state of emergency due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was in effect. The Japanese government declared a state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas with severe COVID-19 spread since the 8th, requesting people to refrain from going out after 8 p.m., but it was revealed that even ruling party lawmakers did not properly follow the rules, drawing criticism for moral hazard.

According to Japanese local media such as NHK on the 27th, Prime Minister Suga attended the House of Representatives Budget Committee and publicly apologized, saying "I am very sorry," regarding the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner Komeito lawmakers violating quarantine rules by visiting bars and clubs late at night in the Tokyo area for gatherings. Suga stated, "We must take actions that gain the understanding of the people. The party will also respond properly."

Earlier, Japanese media including the online edition of Shukan Bunshun reported that Jun Matsumoto, acting chairman of the LDP’s Diet Affairs Committee, and Kiyohiko Toyama, acting secretary-general of Komeito, visited an Italian restaurant in Tokyo and a club in Ginza while the state of emergency was declared, sparking controversy. Matsumoto visited three restaurants on the 18th and left a club after 11 p.m. Toyama was found to have been at a club in Ginza past midnight on the 22nd. Since the 8th, the Japanese government has requested people to refrain from going out after 8 p.m. in Tokyo where the state of emergency is in effect, but it was revealed that ruling party lawmakers did not comply, drawing criticism.

Matsumoto apologized the day before, saying, "My actions were a bit careless. I sincerely apologize," and Toyama also stated, "I am truly sorry to the people. I should have gone home."