An inquest body has concluded that former Japanese trade minister Isshu Sugawara merits indictment over a money and gift scandal.
Following the decision by the Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution, Tokyo prosecutors will now resume investigating the allegation that the Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker's office offered money and gifts to supporters between 2017 and 2019 in violation of the election law.
Such panels, composed of 11 eligible voters chosen by lottery, are set up to review decisions by prosecutors not to put a suspect on trial if complainants challenge the decision.
In June last year, the special investigation squad of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office decided not to indict Sugawara for giving condolence money and gifts totaling 300,000 yen ($2,760) through his secretary and others to 27 voters from 2017 to 2019.
The decision took into account that the 59-year-old House of Representatives member had stepped down as minister of economy, trade and industry and apologized for the case.
The Public Offices Election Law prohibits politicians from making donations to voters in their constituencies, except for money given in person at ceremonies such as weddings and funerals.
But in a rare move, the panel decided last month to review the proceedings after a Tokyo resident who brought the initial complaint challenged the dismissal of the case, arguing the special investigation squad's handling of the case was "questionable."
The panel said in a document that it is natural to think that the provision of condolence money and gifts was intended to not only build personal relations with recipients but effectively ask them to vote for Sugawara in future elections.
Sugawara stepped down from a ministerial position on Oct. 25, 2019, a day after a weekly magazine reported that his secretary had given condolence money to the bereaved family of a supporter in his Tokyo constituency.
The resignation came a little more than a month after he had assumed the post under the government of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Sugawara admitted to the allegations in a press conference last year and said he was aware of the illegality of the acts, but expressed his intention to continue as a lawmaker.
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