Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Japan's 'shadow shogun' faces indictment over scandal
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Japan's 'shadow shogun' faces indictment over scandal
AFP - Tuesday, October 5
Send
IM Story
Print
TOKYO (AFP) - – Japan's former ruling party secretary general Ichiro Ozawa should be indicted over a funding scandal, a citizens' judicial review panel said Monday in a ruling that paves the way for legal action.
The independent panel's decision represents a major turnaround for the 68-year-old Ozawa, dubbed the "Shadow Shogun", who only weeks ago was in contention to become Japan's prime minister in a party leadership election. He lost out to Prime Minister Naoto Kan last month.
The panel ruled that Ozawa, former secretary general of the centre-left Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), should be indicted over the case in which his fund management body allegedly gave false financial reports in 2004 and 2005.
The panel's decision means that authorities must now appoint lawyers to prosecute Ozawa, who will be accused in a courtroom for the first time in his four-decade political career.
"Mr Ozawa's explanation about the resource of 400 million yen (4.9 million dollars) in the land purchase fund is extremely irrational and cannot be believed at all," the panel said in a statement.
Ozawa is credited with engineering the DPJ election landslide in August 2009 that ended more than half a century of almost unbroken conservative rule. He was seen as the guiding hand behind then-premier Yukio Hatoyama's reign.
Prosecutors have indicted three of Ozawa's former aides and raided his offices over allegations the fund laundering millions of dollars through an upscale Tokyo property, though Ozawa has repeatedly protested his innocence.
Authorities had earlier dropped the case, citing a lack of evidence.
It was the panel's second and final decision after it ordered Tokyo district prosecutors to reopen the case against Ozawa in April.
Under Japanese law, the review panels made up of 11 citizens chosen by lottery can take a second look at decisions by prosecutors following public complaints, a process in part modelled on the US grand jury.
In its decision, the panel raised questions about previous decisions not to indict the DPJ lawmaker over allegations of false financial reporting.
"The decision was quite regrettable," Ozawa responded in a statement. But "I'm confident that my innocence will be proved during a trial for sure."
The panel's order may further damage Kan's government, which has seen its approval ratings slide over its handling of a bruising territorial row with China over disputed East China Sea islands.
Ahead of the panel's decision, public support for Kan's government fell to 53 percent, down 13 points from the previous month, a poll by the mass-circulation Yomiuri Shimbun daily said on Monday.
Katsuya Okada, DPJ secretary-general, told reporters he was "surprised" about the "extremely regrettable" decision without indicating whether or not the party would now expel Ozawa.
Sadakazu Tanigaki, head of the largest opposition party, the Liberal Democratic Party, urged Ozawa to resign as a lawmaker, telling reporters: "He has not fulfilled his responsibility for explaining about the case."
When millionaire-politician Hatoyama left office in June after less than nine months amid rock-bottom approval ratings, Ozawa also stepped down as party secretary general. Kan at the time told him to be "quiet for a while".
Ozawa stunned observers by declaring his leadership challenge, with the backing of Hatoyama, before being defeated by Kan.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
China's Wen urges stability of major currencies AFP - 35 minutes ago
NATO chief apologises, Pakistani Taliban vow revenge Reuters - Tuesday, October 5
Thai court stalls U.S. bid to extradite Viktor Bout Reuters - Tuesday, October 5
Europe woos Asia to boost global role AFP - Tuesday, October 5
UN climate chief urges Chinese flexibility AFP - Tuesday, October 5
News Search
Top Stories
Health giant Sanofi-Aventis launches bid for Genzyme
Europe seeks closer role with Asia giants
Big Swiss banks 'must face tougher capital hurdle'
Iraq oil reserves overtake Iran
Brazil presidential race goes to runoff
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Top economist warns of European 'wave of austerity'
Foreclosures bungle could hit US banks
Iraq oil reserves overtake Iran
Census surveys vast body of global marine life
Brazil presidential race goes to runoff
More Most Viewed »
US state executes first woman in nearly 100 years
Workers swarm Europe's streets in anti-cuts protests
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Monday, 4 October 2010 Pakistan to reopen NATO supply line 'relatively quickly'
US issues travel alert for Europe
Iran cleans industrial computers of stuxnet virus
Turkish minister accuses EU of political intrigues
India restores pride with Games opening show
|
Greece to keep to bailout terms in 2011 budget: minister
Pope warns against 'deadly path' in Mafia heartland Sicily
Israeli police kill Palestinian in East Jerusalem
British PM seeks to calm fears over budget cuts
Europe draw level with US in rain-hit Ryder Cup
Visteon Completes Reorg, Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
'Islam now part of Germany': president
Iraq crackdown on bombers brings silenced killings
Chavez vows to radicalize after Venezuela election
|
Israel convicts troops who made boy search for bombs
WWII French leader 'widened anti-Jewish law'
Afghanistan bans foreign security firms
Pope dismays anti-Mafia activists on Sicily visit
|
Afghan starts to close private security firms
Foreign-based group behind Nigeria bombs: president
|
2 NATO service members killed in Afghanistan
U.S. warns of possible attacks in Europe
Police arrest engineer in Indonesia train crash
"The Social Network" finds friends at box offices
Indian wunderkind steals hearts at Games' show
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
New York opera houses woo new fans with edgier fare
S.Africa will not sign S.Korea nuclear power deal: official
Europe-Asia summit looms under Japan-China shadow
The Social Network finds friends at box offices
|
Brazil vote goes to runoff as Rousseff falls short
|
'Islam now part of Germany': president
Mexican drug war crimes go live on the Internet
Census surveys vast body of global marine life
Pakistan militants vow more attacks on NATO supplies
|
Top economist warns of European 'wave of austerity'
Moscow ex-mayor not planning legal battle: report
|
US-TECH Summary
India restores pride with Games opening show
|
Japan government support slides on handling of China row
|
Disney names two execs to head digital business
Bosnian wartime leader's son to become president
|
Viktor Bout wears flak jacket to Bangkok court
Freedom of speech 'indispensable': China's premier
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
Syria seeks arrests over Hariri probe: general
|
Fiji opposition head freed, vows to fight charges
U.S. warns of possible attacks in Europe
N.Korea's Jong-Un was in China with father: report
Former United Artists head Andy Albeck dies at 89
China's Great Wall crumbles as tourism soars
Japan government support slides on handling of China row
Support for Japan PM falls sharply over China row
Japan miss Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe bullseye again
N.Zealand says unions should not hold 'Hobbit' to ransom
Pakistan militants vow more attacks on NATO supplies
Verizon Wireless to pay refunds for billing errors
|
Winston Churchill enters British pop charts
LG Elec says Android 2.2-based tablet plan dropped
|
Three dead in Pakistan capital, 20 NATO trucks set on fire
'Social Network' fast-friends box-office success
Disney names two execs to head digital business
|
'Merchant of Death' back in Thai court
Paris hosts gothic ball for Givenchy
Phoenix Bus Transportation Strike Looming
To Improve Group Intelligence Just Add Women Study Says
Emanuel Officially Announces Bid For Chicago Mayor
Galliano's 1920s muse, Celine's sober sophistication
Global steel production may plateau in 5 years
S.Korea spotted buying dlrs to cap won
Seoul shares up 0.1 pct on banks, foreign buying
Pakistani c.bank sells 6 bln rupees of T-bills
PAKISTAN
India's JSW Steel seeks investment in Japan's JFE
CORRECTED-New Zealand commodity prices rise in September
Seoul shares advance on foreign buying, banks
Social Network passes first test with Oscar voters
|
S.Korea bonds steady ahead of 3-yr treasury auction
Winston Churchill enters British pop charts
|
The Social Network finds friends at box offices
|
Court decides who owes Nash money to Don Johnson
|
Former United Artists head Andy Albeck dies at 89
|
New Zealand offers to mediate Hobbit union spat
|
Syria orders 33 arrests over Hariri probe: general
Dutch anti-Islam MP' hate speech trial adjourned
LG Elec says Android 2.2-based tablet plan dropped
Korans burnt in West Bank mosque attack
|
Article not found
"Day And Knight" Coming To Blu-Ray, DVD November 30
Ethiopia's Meles sworn-in as PM after May elections
|
Iraq oil reserves overtake Iran
Coca-Cola Acquires North America Unit, Expands To Europe
Europe seeks closer role with Asia giants
Xoom Now Offering Dollar-to-Dollar Service To Philippines
Thai court stalls U.S. bid to extradite Viktor Bout
|
Big Swiss banks 'must face tougher capital hurdle'
Study: Preteen Babysitters Can Handle Emergencies
Taliban claim deadly NATO tanker blaze in Pakistan
Afghan civilians killed in foreign air strike: police
|
Tennessee Man Charged With Arson Threat To Congressman
Dutch anti-Islam lawmaker challenges race trial judges
|
Jordin Sparks Announces New Affordable Scent
Thai court stalls U.S. bid to extradite Viktor Bout
Brazil presidential race goes to runoff
LG Elec says Android 2.2-based tablet plan dropped
Bosnia vote points to deadlock on ethnic lines
|
Korans burnt in West Bank mosque attack
Study Links Asthma, Food Allergies
Health giant Sanofi-Aventis launches bid for Genzyme
Latvia PM woos Russian opposition after vote win
|
Europe woos Asia to boost global role
Walnuts May Lower Blood Pressure
NATO troop killed in south Afghanistan bomb blast
"The Social Network" Tops Box Office Weekend; "Wall Street" Drops To 3rd
NATO soldier killed in Afghanistan bomb blast
UN climate chief urges Chinese flexibility
Syria seeks arrests over Hariri probe -general
Japan PM rival to be charged, clouding comeback
CORRECTED
Afghan starts to close private security firms
"Merchant of Death" extradition stalls in Thai court
Japan's 'shadow shogun' faces indictment over scandal
S.Korean police showcase strength before G20 summit
UN climate chief urges quick action as China talks open
Ungaro throws Paris garden party
George Michael denies special treatment in jail
Polish archive, Israeli spar over father's Holocaust diary
Toshiba to launch 'world's first' glasses-free 3D TV
New Zealand offers to mediate "Hobbit" union spat
Pakistani rupee firms up; stocks, o/n rates flat
Rwanda working to curb population explosion
Court decides who owes "Nash" money to Don Johnson
India's Tata Motors up share sale to $750 million
Former United Artists head Andy Albeck dies at 89
Malaysia mulls cutting diesel subsidy to boost biofuel
Michelle Yeoh returns to martial arts film genre
Malaysia's Petronas profit up 60% in first quarter
"Social Network" passes first test with Oscar voters
George Michael denies special treatment in jail
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights