Tokyo Investigative Newsroom Tansa

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Democracy Behind Closed Doors

Why was the decision to hold a state funeral for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a cabinet decision? The records of discussions with the "guardian of the law," the Cabinet Legislation Bureau, were withheld by the Prime Minister's Office. The three foundations of democracy are "records," "disclosure," and "review." However, over the past decade, the government has been rampant in concealing and falsifying public documents, even violating the Freedom of Information Act. Without knowing the processes, we cannot continue to approve government actions.