Kanezo Muraoka

Muraoka, 73, is suspected by prosecutors of violating the Political Funds Control Law by backing a plan to hide a ¥100 million political donation given to the faction by the Japan Dental Association in July 2001.

Prosecutors decided not to indict other senior faction members over the affair, including former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, former LDP Secretary-General Hiromu Nonaka and Mikio Aoki, chairman of the LDP's Upper House caucus.

The prosecutors determined Muraoka gave instructions to hide the donation, after Toshiyuki Takigawa, an accountant for the faction charged with failing to report the money, told them that he had consulted Muraoka about the funds.

The Japan Times Weekly: Oct. 2, 2004
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