Kuchikomi Nov. 17, 2008 - 06:59AM JST ( 14 )

The prime minister’s everyday schedule is usually carried in daily newspapers, often in a small column in the political section. However, weekly magazine Shukan Shincho (Nov 6) claims that Prime Minister Aso intentionally misleads the media about his schedule.

“Based on the press club agreement in the cabinet, Kyodo News and Jiji Press are allowed to follow the prime minister’s car. When Aso goes into a hotel, they ask his secretary what he is doing there,” a political reporter for a major newspaper tells the magazine. “If the secretary lies to the agencies, then nobody has any idea about what he is actually doing there.”

For example, the secretary often tells reporters that Aso is by himself, when in fact, he is often meeting politicians of opposition parties.

The political reporter adds, “On the night of Sept 28, which was just after his appointment as prime minister, Aso told us he was meeting with his secretary at a hotel. But he was actually having a meeting with LDP politicians. I don’t know why Aso tries to conceal these details which will be revealed anyway.”

The magazine says Aso likes to cover up the fact that he has confidential conversations by telling the media he is meeting with his secretary. It quotes one LDP politician: “It makes no sense. DPJ Acting President Naoto Kan tells the media when he meets Aso, while Aso says he was meeting a secretary. It’s rare for a prime minister to lie that much.” He adds, “Aso possibly thinks nighttime is his private time and he doesn’t have to tell the media what he does and where he goes.”