Local Politicians Given Cash From Lawmaker Couple
Sources say former justice minister Kawai Katsuyuki and his Diet lawmaker wife Kawai Anri allegedly gave cash to 40 local politicians in the western prefecture of Hiroshima to buy votes.
The two were arrested for a suspected election law violation over last year's Upper House vote in which the wife won a seat. Prosecutors suspect they gave about 240,000 dollars to 94 people.
Sources told NHK that of the amount, nearly 160,000 dollars was given to 40 local politicians.
They include Mihara City Mayor Tenma Yoshinori, who announced his intention to step down on Thursday after admitting to receiving about 14,000 dollars.
Another is Kosaka Shinji, who resigned as Akiota Town mayor in April. He admitted to accepting roughly 1,900 dollars.
The couple left the main governing Liberal Democratic Party shortly before their arrest last week.
The LDP fielded Kawai Anri as its second candidate in the two-seat Hiroshima constituency. She won by beating an LDP incumbent.
Prosecutors say the couple tried to buy votes across the prefecture to win the election, which divided LDP supporters.
The couple reportedly deny the allegation.
