nfluence-peddling

金銭授受問題で１月に辞任し、睡眠障害を理由に長期休養していた甘利明前経済再生担当相が６日、神奈川県大和市で取材に応じ、自身の活動再開について報告しました。

Amari announces return to political affairs after graft allegations

YAMATO, Kanagawa -- Former economic revitalization minister Akira Amari announced at a June 6 news conference here that he would be returning to political affairs, about five months after he resigned his portfolio over influence-peddling allegations.

Amari, 66, took a long leave of absence for what he called a sleeping disorder following his resignation from Cabinet in January this year.

"After consulting with my physician, I have decided to make a slow return to political duties starting today," Amari told reporters. "I am causing very serious trouble and worry. To all the people of this area, to the people of Japan, I am deeply sorry," he continued.

Amari and two former private secretaries were investigated under the Act on Punishment of Public Officials' Profiting by Exerting Influence over allegations they had taken money from a construction firm in return for favors. However, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors office decided not to file formal charges, citing insufficient evidence.

Regarding a probe into allegations that the construction firm spent large sums wining and dining one of his former private secretaries, Amari said, "I'd like to restart (the investigation) after consulting with my attorneys and evaluating the situation."

http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20160606/p2a/00m/0na/008000c

今回注目した表現は、“influence-peddling”です。「ウィズダム英和辞典」(第３版、三省堂)で“influence”を引いたところ、“influence peddling”で「(政治家による)違法な口きき」とありました。

Macmillan Dictionary.comでは、“the illegal activity of helping someone achieve their goals by using your political influence in exchange for money”と定義されていました。政治的権力を使って企業などに力を貸し、お金を受け取る行為であるようです。日本語の記事を読んだところ、「あっせん利得処罰法違反容疑」という記述があり、これが今回の“influence-peddling allegations”にあたるのだと思います。

ちなみに、“peddling”の原型である“peddle”を『ウィズダム英和辞典』で引いたところ、１.「〈商品〉を売りに歩き回る；〈麻薬〉を売る」２.「〈うわさ・誤った情報など〉を言いふらす、広めて回る」３.「〈低品質の物〉を売る」という意味が載っていました。この単語の例文をネットで検索したところ、ネガティブな文の中で使われていることが多かったように思います。(Blue Sky)