Ishin Lawmaker Suspected of Fraud
The Special Investigation Division of Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office made search in the offices of Akira Ishii, Upper House member of Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin-no Kai). Ishii is suspected as involved in a fraud of receiving reward for his secretarie who had not actually been working for him. Although Ishin has been active in promoting political reform, the case proves that Ishin is one of the old-type parties with scandals of political money. The Diet Law provides that a lawmaker can have three public secretaries: policy secretary, first secretary and second secretary. The salary of those public secretaries is paid from national budget. Monthly payment varies depending on age or length on the job, ranging from 330 to 650 thousand yen. The lawmaker reports the name of three secretaries to the Diet. Annual income amounts between 7 to 13 million yen. Ishii is doubted as falsely received 8 million yen. One of Ishii’s secretaries ha...