Prosecutors To Arrest Lawmaker Couple
NHK has learned that Japanese prosecutors have asked two lawmakers to turn themselves in for questioning over their alleged vote-buying.
They are expected to arrest Kawai Katsuyuki, a former justice minister and Lower House representative, and his wife, Kawai Anri, an Upper House member, on suspicion of violating the election law as early as Thursday.
Prosecutors have been investigating allegations that the couple distributed roughly 233,000 dollars to about 100 members of local assemblies in Hiroshima Prefecture to secure votes for Kawai Anri, who ran in the Upper House election in July last year.
They allege that Kawai Katsuyuki handed out more than 224,000 dollars in cash to local legislators. His wife is also suspected of distributing about 10,000 dollars.
The Kawais on Wednesday submitted their notices of departure from the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party. But sources say they deny doing anything illegal and have no intention of resigning their Diet seats.
