Tokyo Prosecutors Decline to Indict Hagiuda and Seko in Political Funds Scandal
The special investigation squad of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office has decided not to indict Diet members Koichi Hagiuda and Hiroshige Seko in connection with a political funds scandal involving factions of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Hagiuda, a former chairperson of the LDP's Policy Research Council, and Seko, a former secretary general for the LDP in the House of Councillors, were suspected of violating the Political Funds Control Law by failing to record certain income on their political funds reports. This income came in the form of kickbacks from ticket sales to Abe faction fundraising parties.
The special squad cited insufficient evidence to substantiate the accusations against Hagiuda and Seko as the reason for not pursuing charges. The secretary responsible for the false entries in Hagiuda's case and the financial manager of Seko's funds organization admitted to making false entries but received suspended indictments due to the relatively small amounts involved. Charges against four other staff members were dropped due to insufficient evidence.
This decision comes after the special squad charged 10 individuals in January, including three members of the Abe faction, for failing to report more than ¥30 million in political funds from 2018 to 2022. Lawmakers with unrecorded amounts less than ¥30 million were not charged. The unrecorded amounts for Hagiuda and Seko were ¥27.28 million and ¥15.42 million, respectively.
The decision not to indict Hagiuda and Seko has prompted criticism from university professors and others who filed complaints in the case. They argue that the evidence against the two politicians was sufficient and that the decision not to prosecute them undermines public trust in the justice system.
8 Comments
Loubianka
These politicians work hard for the people, they would never intentionally break the law.
Katchuka
It's refreshing to see that the law is applied equally to all, regardless of their status.
Eugene Alta
The blatant corruption in the ruling party is sickening. When will it end?
Muchacho
The justice system in Japan is a joke if they let these corrupt politicians walk free.
Muchacha
So basically, as long as you're part of the ruling party, you can get away with breaking the law.
AlanDV
It's a relief to see that this case was resolved without dragging the politicians through unnecessary legal battles.
Matzomaster
The ruling was based on the evidence presented, not on public outcry. That's how justice should work.
BruceLee
Let's not rush to judgement. We should trust the decision made by the special investigation squad.