On the 4th, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office voluntarily interviewed former Deputy Minister of Justice Michi Kakizawa himself about the violation of the Public Offices Election Act over the mayoral election of Koto Ward in Tokyo held in April. According to the officials, former Deputy Minister Kakizawa explained that there was no intention of bribing the funding for ward council members before and after the mayoral election.
In the run-up to the Koto Ward mayoral election in April, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office voluntarily interviewed Kakizawa himself, on suspicion of violating the Public Offices Election Act, following a search of his home and office in the Diet building of former Deputy Minister of Justice and a member of the House of Representatives who left the Liberal Democratic Party.
It is known that Kakizawa supported former ward mayor Yayoi Kimura instead of the LDP-nominated candidate in the ward mayor election, which was a conservative split, and gave cash to ward assembly members, and paid an advisory fee of 4,52 yen per month after the election to a former ward assembly member who supported the former ward mayor.
Regarding these, Kakizawa explained to the Special Investigation Department, "There was no intention of bribery."
He also denied any involvement in the fact that he had paid more than a dozen staff members of the former mayor's camp, and explained that he was not aware of the illegality of the paid advertisements posted on the video posting site calling for votes.
The Special Investigation Department is expected to examine the contents of Senator Kakizawa's explanation and further clarify the actual situation, including the purpose of the funds provided.