Abe questioned by prosecutors: report

Tokyo prosecutors said they do not comment on investigations. Abe's office declined to comment and requested that questions be sent by facsimile.

With a rubbish bin strategically positioned below.

Somewhere out there a bus ticket is soaking in a glass of water ready for when the punishment is handed out.

"Tokyo prosecutors said they do not comment on investigations. Abe's office declined to comment and requested that questions be sent by facsimile."

And when sent to him as such, his "pokeberu" went off and he proceeded to telegraph for a receptionist to make up answers he could be unaware of later.

Paper cannot cover fire. Old proverb.

but be also reminded that we citizens have no direct way of keeping in check our judiciary system

Self-correction. In fact, the Japanese citizens can cast non-confidence vote against some of the Supreme court justices during the general election (not every election time). Though a majority vote would dismiss a target judge, there has been so far none kicked out.

People can't elect lower level court judges as well as all public prosecutors. This point is controversial as top prosecutors seem to be getting more political while I've seen unreasonable verdicts issued at lower court (but at lower level criminal trial, Japan adopts a jury system).

Japan's prosecutors themselves are truly "justice" or not, It has been tested now.

Indeed. But I suspect that they will end up dropping the case against Abe this time (aside from "political" concern, the case is hard to stand in reference to similar past precedents, and Japan's prosecutors are very reluctant to bring such up to the court for fear of defeat and reputation damages).

Instead I see the inquiry as another pre-warning or retribution, and this is how the public prosecutors office has retained influenced over key politicians. Remember, Abe once tried to intervene into the office through a reform on personnel management, to which some prosecutors resisted. Sure, his attempt is very controversial, against the separation principle of judiciary and executive/legislative branches (but be also reminded that we citizens have no direct way of keeping in check our judiciary system, especially the public prosecutors office where all are non-elected officials despite their huge power and privilege)

It was all too predictable that the prosecutors would wear kid gloves to play softball with Abe-sama, and a jolly good time was had by one and all.

Questions by facsimile, answers by fake smile.

Gentleman of the press, social distancing, give the man room to breath lol sorry

Reporter: "Abe-san, what do you think about the allegations against you?"

Abe: "Hmmmph mwmph phwmmmph nwmmph"

Reporter: "Can i quote you on that?"

I'm surprised it even got this far. I would have thought one of his corporate mate would have put his hand up and said they sponsored the dinner, nothing to do with his electoral office.

Teflon?...got another word.

If things start getting heavy for him he'll just pull the old dirty executive trick of checking himself into hospital.

Japan's prosecutors themselves are truly "justice" or not, It has been tested now.

He got away with Moritomo Gakuen which even led to a suicide of a bureaucrat. How is he going to get in trouble for some lunch?

He is not even wearing a washable Abe mask, that alone should be evidence enough of publics waste of money. Would be happy to see him in detention questioned at all hours untill he breaks, good for the goose good for the gander. Or is he special?

Waste of time. When you see what he has aready got away with, you realize little emperors are never going to be held accountable.

Question 1. Why are we all allowed to stand so close to you, and each other, in the middle of this health pandemic?

Question 2. Excuse me Mr. Abe Prime Minister Sir, but I was wondering if you’d do me the greatest favor to possibly offer a response to this very insensitive question of whether you, or more likely one of your staff without your knowledge, could have maybe behaved in such a way in which such action may have broken a law by accident? Sorry for my intrusion into your personal matters Mr Abe Prime Minister Sir. Please excuse me.

Pointless waste of time. Nothing will ever change.

He will get away with it as usual.