Former Japanese Parliament Member Admits Guilty Of Illegal Campaign During Koto District Election

JAKARTA - Former Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Mito Kakizawa pleaded guilty to allegations of illegal campaign funding related to the Tokyo regional elections in April 2023.

"I have decided not to oppose any accusations," said Kakizawa at his first trial at the Tokyo District Court, Wednesday, February 14, as reported by Kyodo media, as reported by Antara.

The 53-year-old man who is also a former Senior Deputy Minister of Justice admitted that he bears a heavy responsibility.

The prosecutor believes that Kakizawa is in the same position as the manager in the illegal campaign in the Regional Head Election of the Koto Regional Mayor.

He was proven to be involved in other planning and activities that led former Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Yayoi Kimura to win the election.

Therefore, Kakizawa was charged with violating the election law because he was proven to have committed a bribe or offered to bribe a total of 2.8 million yen or around IDR 291.7 million.

He also violated other election laws for being involved in Kimura's use of paid online advertisements on YouTube in a campaign by giving bribes of 1 million Yen or around IDR 104 million to former regional council members.

Once the allegations for the use of the advertisement, Kimura, who is currently the mayor, immediately resigned from her position last November.

Another charge that was made against Kakizawa was the alleged bribery involving his secretary to give a total of 1 million Yen to five former or incumbent members of the Koto assembly, while offering payment of 600 thousand Yen or around IDR 62.4 million to three other people.

Not to mention the charge of payment of 400 thousand Yen or around IDR 41.6 million to a Kimura staff member around March and April and the transfer of around 800 thousand Yen or around IDR 83.2 million, between July and October to former regional council members who campaigned for Kimura.

Kikzawa was arrested in December along with his secretary. He, who is currently serving his term as a member of the fifth term of the House of Representatives, resigned as a member of parliament earlier this month after his indictment emerged.