Key Facts
• June 10, 2025: Review panel deemed Koichi Hagiuda’s policy secretary ‘worthy of prosecution’.
• Allegation: Failure to report ¥22.9 million in income from political fundraising.
• December 2024: Tokyo District Prosecutors’ Office initially decided not to prosecute.
• Accusation: Violation of Political Funds Control Act by omitting income in financial reports.
• Review panel criticized the secretary for withholding political activity expenses from the accountant.
• Intent cited: To avoid damaging Hagiuda’s reputation, deemed ‘malicious’ by the panel.
• Panel warned continued leniency could perpetuate false financial reporting.
• Tokyo prosecutors to reopen investigation and decide on prosecution.
• If prosecutors decline again, a second ‘worthy of prosecution’ ruling would lead to mandatory prosecution.
Summary
The policy secretary of Koichi Hagiuda, a member of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, has been deemed ‘worthy of prosecution’ by a review panel over allegations of violating the Political Funds Control Act. The case involves unreported income of ¥22.9 million from a political fundraising event. Initially dismissed by Tokyo prosecutors in December 2024, the review panel criticized the secretary’s actions as malicious and warned against leniency, which could encourage further false reporting. Prosecutors will now reassess the case, with the possibility of mandatory prosecution if a second ‘worthy of prosecution’ ruling is issued.
