Japanese → English transcript

Mr. Hideya Sugio

I am Hideya Sugio of the Constitutional Democratic Party.

Before questioning on this bill, I would like to ask about the allegations regarding the smear video by Prime Minister Takaichi's campaign during the election.

Please look at the distributed materials.

When the allegations first came to light on November 13th of this month,

during parliamentary questioning, the Prime Minister said things like you believe your secretary or that you are receiving reports,

repeatedly giving detached answers as if it were someone else's business.

At that point, what kind of inquiry did you conduct with your local chief secretary, Shimonaka?

Please answer specifically.

Prime Prime Minister Takaichi

Regarding the matter for which I received prior notice,

I conducted an inquiry with my local secretary by phone.

Mr. Hideya Sugio

Did you ask them yourself?

Prime Minister Takaichi

I asked them myself over the phone.

Mr. Sugio

After this, at the plenary session on the 22nd last week, the Prime Minister answered

that the Takaichi campaign did not request the creation or distribution of the video.

This is also in the materials, but regarding this, the man who allegedly created the video

said on an online news program on the 18th,

"I took the lead in doing it."

"I didn't meet the secretary in person, but we had an online meeting." This is what he said.

Even if, as the Prime Minister says,

the Takaichi campaign did not request the creation of the video,

can the Prime Minister declare that there was absolutely no communication

between the local secretary and this man, and that they did not hold an online meeting?

Can you declare that, Prime Minister?

Prime Minister Takaichi

First, I confirmed the facts with my office staff,

and during the LDP presidential election and the general election,

there was a vast number of phone and internet communications, including with people we didn't know,

but we could not confirm any content like what was in the weekly magazine article,

and there were no records of it.

Mr. Hideya Sugio

I am not asking about that.

I am asking whether there was communication or an online meeting.

Prime Minister Takaichi

Amidst the vast number of communications on the internet,

it is difficult to confirm each and every one of those communications,

but we cannot confirm any content like what was in the weekly magazine article.

Mr. Sugio

So you don't deny having had online meetings.

According to reports, the exchanges between your local secretary and the man in question...

...consisted of 67 messages, including emails, LINE, and Signal.

And they reportedly had at least eight online meetings.

Evidence has also been presented.

Have you verified this evidence?

Prime Minister Takaichi

I have confirmed the facts with my secretary.

Regarding the exchanges via LINE, Signal, and SMS mentioned in the weekly magazine article...

...I have received a report that their existence could not be confirmed.

Mr. Sugio Hideya

Well, if your secretary denies it,

then either this man or your local secretary is lying.

According to your explanation, Prime Minister, it means this man is lying, is that not correct?

Prime Minister Takaichi

Regarding someone I have never even met,

I do not wish to say anything that would damage their reputation.

Mr. Sugio Hideya

According to your statement the other day, Prime Minister,

you said, "Since my first election, I have never criticized other candidates or made personal attacks."

That is what you said.

Yet, when a complete stranger does something that goes against your own philosophy,

isn't it strange that you aren't angry and just leave it at that?

Prime Minister Takaichi

As to whether that complete stranger actually did such a thing,

I am not in a position to know.

Also, you have been referring to online meetings,

but I myself was a candidate in the party leadership election.

During the election period, I held a great number of online meetings.

Since I couldn't visit all 47 prefectures in person,

we would connect with various prefectures,

and hold online meetings.

10 to 20 people would appear one after another,

some stating their names, others not.

Regarding each and every one of those instances,

whether I clearly remember them,

or who exactly I had those online meetings with...

there is no way I would have such records or memories.

Therefore, as the committee member said, I checked with my secretary, but...

...they said there are no records.

And that the interactions mentioned in the weekly magazine did not take place,

I have verified this in good faith.

Mr. Hideaki Sugio

I am asking why you aren't angry

about them doing such things without your permission,

so why do you keep giving completely different answers?

That is strange, isn't it?

Lastly,

although the Prime Minister has reportedly deleted this,

in your blog, you wrote

that in the Takaichi office, secretaries must not handle

petitions or requests without the Diet member's approval.

"When a problem arises,

I do not want to say 'I didn't know.'"

That is also what you wrote in your blog.

Are you trying to get away with saying "I don't know, I didn't know" this time?

Prime Minister Takaichi

Regarding the weekly magazine article,

I am not saying that my secretary did it without my permission,

but rather that my secretary did not do such a thing either.

Mr. Hideaki Sugio

I believe your supervisory responsibility and accountability are being questioned.

If these allegations are true,

then anything goes, doesn't it?

This affects the very foundation of democracy.

It could lead not only to resigning as Prime Minister, but also as a Diet member.

I believe this is a grave issue.

I must say that even if you try to escape, you cannot.