Ex-Japan’s justice minister gets 3 years’ jail term for vote buying
A three-year prison term over vote buying for former Japanese Justice Minister, Katsuyuki Kawai, was finalised on Thursday after he withdrew his appeal.
Mr Kawai, who held the ministerial post in former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet, is the first former Japanese cabinet member in more than 10 years to have a prison term finalised.
He was charged with distributing about 28.7 million yen ($251,600) to 100 local assembly members and supporters to buy votes for his wife in the upper house election in Hiroshima Prefecture two years ago.
His defence team filed an appeal after the Tokyo District Court sentenced the former minister to three years in prison this June.
However, his lawyer said Mr Kawai withdrew the appeal on Thursday.
“The responsibility is solely on me, and I am ready to accept it all,’’ Mr Kawai said in a statement released through his lawyer.
He said the responsibility was solely on him and he asked for leniency on the people who have accepted cash.
As a result, his civil rights will be suspended and he is not allowed to run for election until five years after his service of the sentence.
Mr Kawai pleaded not guilty in his first hearing in August 2020 but he admitted most of the charges in March and requested a suspended sentence.
He gave up his lower house seat in April, saying he would bear the responsibility for causing public mistrust in politics.
According to the ruling finalised in February, his wife Anri Kawai was also sentenced to 16 months jail.
She was sentenced for distributing money to local legislators in Hiroshima Prefecture.
(Xinhua/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Showbiz
I splurge $300,000 monthly on personal lifestyle: Davido
“I spend $200K-$300K monthly, minus my wife, family, buying cars and jewellery,” said Davido.
Abuja
Army says alleged illegal mining kingpin, three others arrested in Abuja
According to the military, the principal suspect confessed during preliminary interrogation to sponsoring an illegal mining operation.
Abuja
CAN mourns ex-Aso Rock chaplain William Okoye
CAN has expressed deep sadness over the passing of William Okoye, the founder and general overseer of All Christians Fellowship Mission.
World
U.S. soldiers to be screened for testosterone deficiency
The U.S. secretary of war, Pete Hegseth, on Wednesday, said soldiers who are 30 years old and older would be screened for ‘testosterone deficiency’.
Economy
SpaceX shares slide below IPO price for first time
Elon Musk-owned SpaceX’s shares stumbled below their initial public offering (IPO) price for the first time on Wednesday, just over a month after the company went public.
Hot news Home top
Iran puts Trump in coffin on giant billboard
An inscription splashed across the coffin says, “We Will Kill Trump,” in both Persian and English. Another message on the billboard says, “In memory of Minab’s children.”
