Prosecutors Search Ex - Farm Minister's Offices
Tokyo prosecutors have searched the offices of former agriculture minister Yoshikawa Takamori over allegations that he received cash from a former corporate executive while in office.
The prosecutors on Friday searched locations including Yoshikawa's office in the Lower House office building and his local office in the city of Sapporo.
The Liberal Democrat is facing allegations that he accepted cash totaling 5 million yen, or about 48,000 dollars, from the former head of egg producer Akita Foods, based in Hiroshima Prefecture.
Yoshikawa held the post of agriculture minister from October 2018 to September of last year.
Tokyo prosecutors are questioning Yoshikawa and the former Akita Foods head on a voluntary basis.
The former head served as an adviser to the Japan Poultry Association and lobbied Diet members and the agriculture ministry regarding industry matters.
He allegedly also met with Yoshikawa at the minister's office and other locations.
Sources say the former head told people close to him he was aware that providing the money was illegal, but that he did it for the industry.
Yoshikawa reportedly admitted receiving the money to those close to him.
Yoshikawa resigned as a member of the Lower House on Tuesday. He said he is being treated in hospital for a heart illness and is scheduled to undergo surgery.
