Amid political funds scandal, lawmaker arrested over vote buying in Japan

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Further complicating the political crisis in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, a Japanese lawmaker was Thursday arrested over vote buying.

Mito Kakizawa, 52, denied the allegations of using 2.6 million yen ($18,000) to support Tokyo ward mayoral candidate Yayoi Kimura in her successful campaign in April.

In October, he stepped down as vice minister to take responsibility for use of paid online advertisements during Kimura’s election campaign.

Kakizawa resigned from the ruling party after his offices were raided by prosecutors on Dec. 14, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported.

Four of Kakizawa’s secretaries were also arrested.

The arrest of Kakizawa, who earlier served as senior vice justice minister, comes as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida-led ruling party is mired in political funds scandal.

Kishida removed several ministers from his Cabinet to boost public confidence in his government.

Prosecutors questioned several top members and raided offices of other members of the ruling party.