A top prosecutor, who had been ridiculed as a guardian of the government, Hiromu Kurokawa, has stepped down from his post, Chief of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office. Disorder began with the Abe government’s decision to selectively postpone the retirement age for Japan’s prosecutors. The administration has interfered into the personnel affairs of the prosecutors’ office in order to cover his money and favoritism scandals on the Mori-Kake schools and the cherry-blossom parties.

ROOT CAUSE LIES IN SUSPICION TO PRIME MINISTER ABE SHINZO

The government has withdrawn its intention to enact a bill to amend the law on public prosecutors’ office during the current Diet session after having witnessed harsh resentment of people. The bill is to allow prosecutors to put off their retirement age and the person who was at the center of public outcry, Chief Prosecutor Kurokawa of the Tokyo High Prosecutors Office, has resigned.

Government has destroyed rule of law

The Mainichi newspaper reported May 22 that the prime minister’s office had seemingly demanded Prosecutor General Inada Nobuo to take responsibility for the political mess. It is evident, however, that it is Prime Minister Abe himself that has caused the today’s confusion as he has infringed constitutionalism for seven and a half years, taking advantage of his bestowed authority.

Despite of this fact Premier attempted to close the scandals by shifting responsibility onto the judiciary and the prosecutors for the sake of his survival. Nobody admits his ugly motive.

Prosecutors have strong authority to accuse a suspect of a criminal case and may arrest and indict prime minister. If a government office, who could be a defendant, interferes in selecting prosecutors, the separation of power can be unquestionably undermined to demolish the rule of law.

Prosecutors are administrators only when they are guaranteed their independent position equal to that of judges, and they can charge enormous political crimes. For this reason a norm has been put on prosecutors that a general code, the National Civil Service Law, is not imposed on them. This is the basis of enactment of the prosecutors’ office act.

The dispute over postponement of the retirement age of Kurokawa, who was said as a friend of government, is caused by an illegitimate interpretation of the law by the Abe government. This act represents intervention to the prosecutors’ office by the prime minister’s office – a clear and direct commitment into a choice of person in the name of the right of nomination.

Exhibit suspicious facts!

Mr. Kurokawa played mahjong for money in the midst the nationwide order of state of emergency to prevent the spread of the Covid-19. That was reported by a magazine, which has led to his resignation.

The weekly makes a convincing explanation; Mr. Kurokawa is favored by Prime Minister Abe, who has ridden out a series of money and partiality scandals by the efforts of the prosecutor who had acquitted the cases. His retirement age was postponed with a prospect of nomination to the post of prosecutor general - a position that Premier cannot think of being held by any other person.

It is quite natural that disbelief has grown swiftly against the Abe government and prosecutors, including twitters that call for ‘one person demonstration’.

It is necessary to disclose all the facts to recover people’s trust on the government. The Abe government must take responsibility for its illegal decision to selectively extend the retirement age of prosecutors. The ministers must resign en masse.

June 2, 2020