LDP Suzuki may have used his political influence on overseas economic assistance

Suzuki Muneo, Liberal Democratic Party member of parliament who is under fire for interfering with the foreign ministry, may have used his political influence in Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA).

Akahata on February 7 reported that an August 1999 telegram shows that Suzuki, deputy chief cabinet secretary at the time, promised Kenya to expedite the consideration of yen loans for a hydraulic power project.

Acting upon this promise, the Foreign Ministry notified Kenya that Japan would grant a loan, before official documents were exchanged. Kenya chose Japanese contractor construction companies for the project.

Japan's Finance Ministry, however, has been refusing to exchange official notes on such a loan for more than two years for fear that debt-ridden Kenya may not be able to repay the loans.

Why did the Foreign Ministry rush to make the decision to provide loan, when there were many concerns to be dealt with? The fact should be established as to what lies behind the decision, Akahata said.
LDP lawmaker Suzuki says that he has never used his influence on the Foreign Ministry or other ministries over this matter. (end)