National News

Agriculture minister in funding scandal

A political support group for agriculture minister Seiichi Ota declared more than 23 million yen in office fees in 2005 and 2006 in its annual political funding reports for an office registered at the Tokyo home of his ministerial secretary, even though no rent money was actually paid.

Ota has become the first minister in Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's Cabinet to be investigated for his funding management. Similar scandals led to resignations by ministers under Fukuda's predecessor, Shinzo Abe, and the eventual downfall of his Cabinet. (Kyodo News)

Shukan ST: Sept. 5, 2008

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