Finance Ministry admits asking Moritomo to lie

Apr 10, 2018 | News On Japan

Apr 10, 2018 (NHK) - Japan's Finance Ministry has admitted that one of its officials asked a school operator to lie about why it received a huge discount when it bought state-owned land.

The ministry sold the plot in Osaka, western Japan, to Moritomo Gakuen for a price far below its market value. It said the discount was aimed at offsetting the cost of removing buried waste.

Mitsuru Ota, who heads the ministry's bureau in charge of state-owned property, told an Upper House committee on Monday that an official in his section called Moritomo's lawyer in February last year.

Ota said the official suggested that Moritomo should say that thousands of trucks were used to transport the waste and the work cost a lot of money.

He said the official also asked a member of the ministry's Osaka office to pressure the school operator to comply. But he said the member refused to do this, and Moritomo's lawyer also rejected the proposal.

Ota said the bureau official tried to persuade Moritomo to make statements that would confirm the ministry's account of the waste removal. He said this was wrong and shameful, and he offered an apology.

Source: ANNnewsCH

Japan, UK Launch New Partnership

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed to strengthen cooperation in economic security, defense and advanced technologies during talks in London on June 14, with the two leaders expected to release a joint document outlining a broad new framework for collaboration ranging from artificial intelligence and semiconductors to critical minerals and energy security.

Japan Faces Netherlands Without Liverpool Midfielder Wataru Endo

When Japan kicks off its World Cup campaign against the Netherlands at 5:00 a.m. Japan time on June 15 at Dallas Stadium in Texas, the Samurai Blue will do so without one of their most influential players. Liverpool midfielder and former captain Wataru Endo has been ruled out through injury, prompting coach Hajime Moriyasu to hand the captain's armband to Ajax defender Ko Itakura while relying on Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka and Crystal Palace playmaker Daichi Kamada to help fill the void left in central midfield.

Driver Escapes After Ramming Into LDP Lawmaker's Office

Police in Kyoto Prefecture are investigating a hit-and-run after a vehicle crashed into the Maizuru office of Liberal Democratic Party Lower House member Taro Honda late on June 13 before the driver fled the scene.

Fire Torches Naritasan Shokoji Temple in Hokkaido

A fire broke out at a Buddhist temple in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on June 13th, sending flames soaring from the building and causing temporary alarm in a nearby residential neighborhood before being largely extinguished about two hours later.

Japan Moves To Tackle Potty Parity

The Japanese government on June 12th released new guidelines calling for women’s toilets to have at least as many fixtures as men’s toilets in public facilities, seeking to address the persistent problem of long queues at women’s restrooms in places such as train stations and event venues.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Fire Torches Naritasan Shokoji Temple in Hokkaido

Four Nabbed in 870,000-Yen All-You-Can-Drink Scam

Four people have been arrested on suspicion of defrauding a man in his 20s out of 870,000 yen by disguising a rental room in Osaka as a bar and luring customers through a matchmaking app.

Man Arrested for Allegedly Stealing School Slippers to Satisfy Sexual Urges

A 25-year-old construction worker arrested for allegedly breaking into a high school in Mie Prefecture and stealing slippers and indoor shoes told investigators he wanted to become sexually aroused, police said.

LUUP User Dies in First Fatal Scooter Crash Confirmed on Tokyo Roadway

A 62-year-old man riding a LUUP electric scooter died following a collision with a pedestrian at an intersection in Tokyo's Koto Ward on June 2nd, marking what is believed to be the first confirmed fatal accident involving a LUUP user on a Tokyo roadway.

Ex-Boyfriend Suspected of Murdering High School Girl

Police have arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of murder after a 17-year-old high school student was found unconscious on a riverbank in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, and later pronounced dead.

Deadly Blaze Rips Through Densely Packed Fukui Neighborhood

A fire that broke out in a densely populated residential area of Fukui City early on June 10 left one person dead, destroyed multiple homes, and triggered panic among local residents as flames spread rapidly through the neighborhood.

Four Arrested After Festival Brawl Leaves Seven Injured

Four men have been arrested in connection with a mass assault that erupted during a traditional festival in Saijo, Ehime Prefecture, leaving seven people injured after more than 30 participants became involved in the violence.

Massive Hose Washes Ashore in Ishikawa

A gigantic Chinese-made hose measuring about 150 meters in length, up to 2 meters in diameter, and weighing an estimated 300 tons has washed ashore on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, prompting local authorities to launch a large-scale removal operation.

< 2 3 4 5 >