clerical error 復習
DP policy chief suspects ex-secretary claimed false expenses
Democratic Party policy chief Shiori Yamao revealed on April 6 that her office had spent some 4.29 million yen on gasoline in 2012 as she suspected her then statefunded secretary claimed
false expenses.
As the secretary has already resigned, Yamao will consult with lawyers to verify the facts.
With regard to her fundmanagement group "Oyukai," which is accused of listing in its political funding reports more than 10 million yen in personal donations in excess of the amount regulated under the Political Funds Control Act, Yamao explained, "It was a clerical error, which has already been corrected. I'd like to improve the clerical system to prevent a mistake in the future."
As for a possible impact of these issues on her post, she said, "I'm sorry for my lack of supervision over my office'smanagement. As a lawmaker and as party policy chief, I will strive to live up to the public's expectations."
http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20160407/p2a/00m/0na/001000c
今回はclerical errorを取り上げます。文脈からして、「事務の手違い」などを連想しました。『ジーニアス英和辞典』（第５版、大修館）で引いてみたところ、clerical errorで「事務的な誤り〈書類作成や計算の誤り〉」と載っておりました。ちなみにclericalのみだと、「事務員の，書記の」という意味があります。LDOCEには"relating to office work, especially work such as keeping records or accounts"とあり，おもに会計，お金の出入りを主体とする事務的処理だということがわかります。
もしこの記事の内容が事実であるのなら、山尾氏は素人の秘書でも雇っていたのでしょうか。こんなに大きな額の数字を間違うなんて、おかしいと思います。（Gomez）
