Japan PM declines to confirm alleged smear video audio, irking opposition

TOKYO - Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday declined an opposition lawmaker's request to listen to audio relating to reports alleging her office made anonymous videos smearing political opponents, drawing opposition ire.

Takaichi cited a full schedule and objections to subscribing to the magazine behind the reports in rejecting the Centrist Reform Alliance lawmaker's request regarding a recorded conversation that reportedly showed her publicly funded first secretary speaking with a man who has claimed to have made the videos.