吉川元農水相を任意聴取　東京地検、現金受領疑惑で―鶏卵業者からの５００万円

　元農林水産相で自民党所属の吉川貴盛前衆院議員（７０）＝議員辞職＝が、大手鶏卵生産会社前代表（８７）から現金を供与された疑惑で、東京地検特捜部が吉川氏から任意で事情聴取したことが２３日、関係者への取材で分かった。
　特捜部は既に前代表を任意で事情聴取。前代表は現金供与を認め、「業界全体のためだった」などと話しているといい、特捜部は吉川氏本人から説明を求める必要があると判断したもようだ。
　関係者によると、大手鶏卵生産会社「アキタフーズ」（広島県福山市）前代表は、吉川氏が農水相在任中の２０１８年１０月～１９年９月、養鶏業界の要望に関し便宜を図るよう吉川氏に依頼。吉川氏は３回にわたり大臣室などで計５００万円を受領した疑いが持たれている。（2020/12/23-11:05）

Japanese public prosecutors have questioned former agriculture minister Takamori Yoshikawa, 70, with his consent over an alleged money scandal, informed sources said Wednesday.
   The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office's special investigation squad already questioned a former head of a major egg production company who allegedly gave a total of 5 million yen in cash to Yoshikawa.
   The 87-year-old former head admitted to giving the cash, saying that it was "for the sake of the whole industry," according to the sources.
   Yoshikawa is suspected of receiving the cash as agriculture minister on three occasions between October 2018 and September 2019 from the former head of Akita Foods Co., based in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan.
   The former head is believed to have asked Yoshikawa to ensure that new international animal welfare standards are not drafted in a way unfavorable to the Japanese industry.