Azuma Konno

The Sendai District Court convicted the five of hiring campaign workers by concluding paid telephone canvassing contracts with a manpower agency affiliated with Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. for November's general election.

Sayuri Kamata

The Public Offices Election Law prohibits remuneration or promise of remuneration to campaign workers.

In handing down the sentences, presiding Judge Eiichi Honma said that "the results of hurting the fairness of national elections, which form the foundations of democracy, were extremely grave."

Konno and Kamata, both Lower House members, have denied any involvement in the crime. Prosecutors may indict the two lawmakers once the appeal process is over.

The Japan Times Weekly: April 10, 2004
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