国际英语新闻:Japan's Abe to explain controversial gov't-funded cherry-blossom event in Diet if asked

TOKYO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Friday that he will explain a government-funded cherry-blossom viewing event at the Diet if asked for an explanation.

The cherry-blossom appreciation event, held every April since 1952, came to the public's high attention after it was revealed that Abe's supporters were among those invited, raising questions about the use of taxpayers' money.

Under Abe's administration, the number of guests and the amount of money spent by the government on the gathering have been on the rise, according to local media reports.

The event's criteria of selecting guests have been under fire by the opposition forces, who have called for the release of past guest lists. However, The Cabinet Office has said the lists have been discarded as there was no need to keep them.

Another focus of attention is a dinner Abe's support group held at a Tokyo hotel the night before the event, in which participants reportedly paid about 46 U.S. dollars to attend.

According to Japan's political fund control law, political groups should include in political fund reports events for which participants pay fees. The dinner was not mentioned in the report by Abe's support group.

Abe told reporters on Friday that there were no revenues or expenses from his office or his support group for both events, adding his staff have informed him that the events were entirely paid for by participants.