TOKYO — Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan apologized on Thursday for what he said were unintentionally false statements about a political spending scandal that has tarred the first months of his administration. The apology came hours after Japanese prosecutors said they would seek to fine an aide to Shinzo Abe, the former prime minister, over alleged violations of political spending rules. Prosecutors said Mr. Abe himself will not be charged in connection with the matter, an unusual statement that appeared to be aimed at quelling media speculation about his fate. Mr. Suga, who succeeded Mr. Abe as prime minister in September, has not been accused of wrongdoing. Still, Mr. Suga spent Mr. Abe’s nearly eight years in office as his top spokesman and political fixer, defending him to the press and in Japan’s Parliament against accusations of wrongdoing.

Source: New York Times December 24, 2020 12:12 UTC