Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku hinted Friday that disclosure of the Cabinet's controversial discretionary funds will not take place anytime soon, saying the issue needs a thorough examination to avoid tampering with national interests.
"This is undoubtedly a thorny theme," Sengoku, who was named Prime Minister Naoto Kan's right-hand man Tuesday, said in an interview.
The government's top spokesman questioned whether ending the practice would truly benefit Japan, explaining that its impact extends even to diplomatic affairs.