Muneo Suzuki

Suzuki, 56, is charged with conspiring with his secretary, Jun Tada, to receive ¥6 million in bribes from Shimada Kense- tsu, a Hokkaido construction company, in 1997, and ¥5 million in bribes from Yamarin, a Hokkaido timber company, in 1998.

Shimada Kensetsu allegedly asked Suzuki, who was a member of the Cabinet and serving as Hokkaido Development Agency chief at that time, to help it win public-works contracts.

Yamarin asked Suzuki while he was serving as deputy chief Cabinet secretary to request that the Forestry Agency bestow the firm with favorable treatment, the indictment says.

Suzuki claims the money was given to him as a congratulatory gesture following his appointment as deputy chief Cabinet secretary.

The Japan Times Weekly: July 24, 2004
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