Former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Isshu Sugawara received a fine of 400,000 yen and a three-year civil rights suspension for violating the Public Offices Election Act, alleging that he had made an illegal donation of about 800,000 yen to the voters. Was found guilty without asking for a formal trial by the three-day deadline.
The former minister will not be able to run for all elections for the next three years.
Former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (59), who was a member of the Liberal Democratic Party's House of Representatives from the 9th district of Tokyo, was found guilty.
In June last year, the Tokyo District Prosecutor's Office postponed prosecution after acknowledging that former Minister Sugawara had donated 300,000 yen worth of incense and pillow flowers in a form that he did not mourn. In February, the prosecutor's office voted that "the members of the Diet should be prosecuted," saying, "We should give due consideration to the people's earnest desire to be clean."
As a result of the re-investigation, the Special Investigation Department briefly charged former Minister Sugawara for making an illegal donation of about 800,000 yen in total, including a celebration of participating in a local event in addition to the incense ceremony. On the 16th of last month, the Tokyo Summary Court issued a summary order with a fine of 400,000 yen and a three-year suspension of civil rights.
In the informal procedure, you can ask for a formal trial for 14 days after being notified of the order, but according to the court, former Minister Sugawara did not make a claim and was found guilty on the 3rd. ..
Former Minister Sugawara will be suspended from civil rights for the next three years and will not be able to run for all elections.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato "Takes the criticism that it caused political distrust firmly"
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato said at a press conference in the afternoon, "It is very disappointing for those who have experience as ministers to have such a result, and we must firmly accept the criticism that it has led to the political distrust of the people. The house is aware of its responsibilities and believes that it is necessary to keep its collar straight so that the public is not skeptical. "