TOKYO, Jun 18 (NNN-NHK) – Former Japanese Justice Minister, Katsuyuki Kawai, was sentenced to three years in prison today, for buying votes, with the intention of securing a seat for his wife in an upper house election, in 2019.
The 58-year-old former lawmaker, under sentencing at the Tokyo District Court, was also fined 1.3 million yen (11,800 U.S. dollars).
A four-year jail term and 1.5 million yen (13,600 U.S. dollars) fine for Kawai, breaking the country’s election law, was being sought by prosecutors.
Kawai handed out a total of about 29 million yen (263,000 U.S. dollars), to 100 local politicians and supporters.
The cash handouts were given in return for the local politicians and supporters, voting for his wife in the upper house election, in July 2019, according to the indictment.– NNN-NHK
