during diet sessions akimoto had made statements aligning with the company's interests. for example, in 2019 he advocated against excessive restrictions on a wind power generation project off aomori prefecture citing concerns about their affects on defense related facilities. in february last year after the company had failed to secure a contract for a project off akita prefecture akimoto called for a reevaluation of the bidding criteria. he's admitted to giving him bribe money in return for favors in the diet. on the other hand, akimoto reportedly said he does not understand why expenses related to the horse owner's union would be considered bribes when he paid for part of them. akimoto rezaned from his post as the parliamentary vice prime minister for foreign affairs on august 4th. he subsequently left the main ruling liberal democratic party. >>> we turn now to the treated and diluted water being discharged from the fukushima daiichi nuclear plant into the ocean. japanese prime minister kishida fumio told leaders from the association of southeast asian nations why the