Japanese Prosecution Indicts Suga Prime Minister's Close Associate on Bribery Charges

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Japanese prosecutors have indicted former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Yoshikawa Takamori, who is close to Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, on bribery charges without detention.

According to Japanese media on the 15th, former Minister Yoshikawa is accused of receiving bribes totaling 5 million yen (approximately 53 million won) in three installments from a company between November 2018 and August 2019, while serving as the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries overseeing large-scale egg production.

Former Minister Yoshikawa claims that the cash received from the company was a congratulatory gift for his appointment as minister and denies that it was a bribe. However, the former representative of the company that handed over the cash reportedly testified, "I was aware of its illegality. It was for the benefit of the entire industry."

Former Minister Yoshikawa was a member of the House of Representatives belonging to the Nikai faction, led by LDP Secretary-General Nikai Toshihiro, who was a key supporter of the Suga Cabinet's launch.

Immediately after Suga became the LDP president, Yoshikawa was appointed as acting chairman, the second-in-command of the election strategy committee, in a party executive reshuffle.

After allegations against him surfaced, former Minister Yoshikawa resigned from all party positions, including acting chairman of the election strategy committee, and also resigned his seat as a lawmaker.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.