The special investigation department of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office Sonoura is suspected of not listing the income of about 40 million yen for several political fund parties in the income and expenditure report of a political group represented by Kentaro Sonoura, a member of the House of Representatives of the Liberal Democratic Party. Interviews with people involved have revealed that Sonoura intends to soon agree to proceed with this procedure, coordinating a summary indictment against him for violating the Political Funds Control Law.

Regarding the political fund income and expenditure report of the political group represented by Kentaro Sonoura, a member of the House of Representatives of the Liberal Democratic Party, there is a suspicion that a total of about 40 million yen is not listed among the income of multiple political fund parties.



The first public secretary, who was in charge of accounting for the organization, admitted that he did not record these incomes in the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office's Special Investigation Department's voluntary interviews, and Mr. Sonoura himself is also a member of the Special Investigation Department. In response to an arbitrary investigation, he explained that he had received a report in advance from his secretary that he did not list part of the party's income.



The Special Investigation Department believes that Mr. Sonoura colluded with his secretary and understated the income and expenditure report, and arranged for a summary indictment for violation of the Political Funds Control Law, and that Mr. Sonoura will proceed with this procedure. It was newly found in the interview with the person concerned that he intends to agree to the close.



In a summary indictment, the prosecutor asks the summary court to issue a fine, etc. in a written trial only, and in order to proceed with the procedure, the public prosecutor must notify the person and obtain their consent.



In the future, if Mr. Sonoura's fine is confirmed, his civil rights will be suspended for five years in principle, at which point he will lose his current job.

House of Representatives member Sonoura decides to resign soon

Kentaro Sonoura, a member of the House of Representatives, has been telling people around him that he will make a decision on whether to move forward or withdraw as soon as the policy of the Special Investigation Department is decided.



It is said that he has left a dated resignation letter with the party.



One of the party's senior officials said that before the prosecution's disposition, such as a summary indictment, is decided, he will submit a request to resign as a member and a notice of withdrawal from the party.



Mr. Sonoura is 50 years old and has been elected to the 5th district of Chiba in the House of Representatives five times.

After working as a reporter for the Yomiuri Shimbun, he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2005.

Within the party, he belongs to the Aso faction and is also known to be close to Vice President Aso.