The Tokyo High Public Prosecutor's Office has determined that Kumagai, 63, was involved in the illegal payments and will file the motion as soon as Tatsuya Hidaka, the aide who admitted to the misdeed, is convicted, the sources said.

Kumagai has denied any involvement in the incident.

The Public Offices Election Law states that campaign workers must be registered in advance to be legally paid.

Hidaka, 41, has admitted that the worker was not registered. His trial started Dec. 26 before the Shizuoka District Court.

If Hidaka is convicted and decides not to appeal, prosecutors will file the motion against Kumagai with the Tokyo High Court.

If Kumagai loses the case, he will be barred from running for public office in the Shizuoka No. 7 district for five years.

Kumagai failed in his re-election bid in his constituency in the Nov. 9 Lower House election and subsequently stepped down as NCP chief.

Hidaka was arrested two days after the election for allegedly paying ¥1 million to a man to help distribute campaign leaflets to voters Nov. 7 with the aim of helping Kumagai get re-elected. The other man was also arrested.

The Japan Times Weekly: Jan. 3, 2004
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