Lawmaker Couple Questioned By Prosecutors
Japanese prosecutors have questioned Upper House member Anri Kawai and her husband, Lower House member Katsuyuki Kawai, in connection with alleged election law violations.
Three aides to the two lawmakers of the governing Liberal Democratic Party were arrested earlier this month. They are alleged to have paid Anri Kawai's 14 campaign staff members more than the legal limit during her campaign for last year's Upper House election.
People in the campaign told NHK that prosecutors had questioned them on a voluntary basis, and that the staff had received a daily allowance of 30,000 yen, or 280 dollars, which is double the legal limit.
The payment was allegedly approved by Katsuyuki Kawai's secretary, Shinsuke Takaya, and completed by his wife's secretary, Hiroshi Tatemichi.
Prosecutors in Hiroshima Prefecture have confiscated smartphones from the couple.
The prosecutors are thought to have asked the Kawais whether they had played any part in the alleged illegal payment.
Following the arrest of their aides, the couple said they will refrain from commenting on the matter as the investigation is underway.
Katsuyuki Kawai resigned as Justice Minister because of his wife's possible violation of the election law.
