Parliament summons LDP Suzuki as sworn witness

The House of Representatives Budget Committee summoned Liberal Democratic Party Dietmember Suzuki Muneo over the allegations that he interfered with foreign ministry affairs, including assistance to the Russian-held four northern islands.

On behalf of the Japanese Communist Party, Sasaki Kensho questioned the Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker, focusing on the Suzuki Muneo-Foreign Ministry scandal, particularly in relation to the bidding for the construction of an accommodation facility which was later called "Muneo House" on Kunashiri Island off Hokkaido.

Sasaki pointed out that from 1995 to 1999, all 36 government and municipal office contracts were awarded to Watanabe Construction Co. of the Nemuro district, including Nemuro City, Suzuki's constituency which is situated close to the four northern islands. (The JCP maintains that the whole of Chishima Islands are Japanese territory.-ed.)

Also, Sasaki pointed out that the company, which constructed the "Muneo House" is an influential member of Suzuki's supporters' organization, and that in 1999, just after the successful "bidding," it doubled or even tripled its political donations to Suzuki.

These donations meant nothing but a payment of gratitude for his efforts to help the company receive the order, Sasaki insisted. In 2000, the company received an additional payment of 23.74 million yen (180,000 dollars) from the government, Sasaki added.

Sasaki then pointed out that Suzuki must have known that Watanabe Construction was the only company qualified to be a successful bidder in this case and pressed the Foreign Ministry to limit applicants to companies within the Nemuro region.

In his testimony, witness Suzuki stated that he was not certain if Foreign Ministry officials referred to a specific company by name in talks with him on the project of Kunashiri's "friendship house" (Muneo House). The witness tried to justify his interference in Foreign Ministry affairs and repeated that he does not remember details.

Later in the day, Sasaki said that Suzuki's statement was full of contradictions. Suzuki gave false evidence in the Diet and could be charged with perjury, Sasaki stressed.

'The return of northern islands won't benefit national interest': Suzuki

In 1995, LDP Suzuki stated that "even if the northern islands are returned to Japan, it will not be in the interest of Japan." A Democratic Party of Japan member of the Lower House revealed this during his questioning based on a classified Foreign Ministry document.

The document, dated June 13, 1995, says that Suzuki, House of Representatives Special Committee on Okinawa and Northern Problems chair at the time, said this in talks with the counselor of the Foreign Ministry's Europe-Oceania Bureau, stressing the need to increase "economic exchanges" between the four northern islands and Japan.

Suzuki was quoted as saying, "To begin with, the northern territorial question has been taken up as Japan's face-saving matter. The return of these islands will not benefit Japan at all." A senior Foreign Ministry official confirmed the existence of the document at an Upper House Budget Committee meeting. (end)