Former Lawmaker Akira Ishii Investigated for Alleged Salary Fraud

The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office's special investigation division is probing former Upper House member Akira Ishii, following a seizure of items from his office in Toride, Ibaraki Prefecture. The investigation centers on allegations of fraudulent acquisition of government-funded aide salaries. Prosecutors suspect Ishii illicitly obtained approximately 8 million yen ($54,200) in aide salaries over an 18-month period, from 2021 to 2022.

A former aide to Ishii, who has since resigned, reportedly performed no actual work for the politician. Sources indicate that nearly the entire salary intended for this aide was transferred to Ishii's staff. The former aide provided this information during voluntary questioning. Investigators also searched Ishii's offices, including his office in the Upper House members’ building in Tokyo.

Prosecutors are examining whether Ishii was involved in other instances of fraudulently collecting aide salaries. The investigation is based on the former aide’s statements, the salary management practices within Ishii's office, and how the funds were ultimately used. Several other individuals have also told prosecutors that they lent their names as aides for Ishii, with some reportedly participating in his political activities. Prosecutors are now investigating whether these individuals actually performed any aide duties.

Ishii, 68, submitted his resignation as an Upper House member, which was approved. His political career included service in the Toride city assembly. He was elected to the Lower House in 2009 and the Upper House in 2016 and 2022, representing different parties during those elections.