Investigators search Kenji Kobayashi's office in Aichi Prefecture on Sept. 18.

Kenji Kobayashi, 41, who lost his seat in the Sept. 11 general election, was arrested Sept. 18 along with two aides.

Kenji Kobayashi

The police Sept. 18 found Kobayashi in possession of stimulants at his home in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture.

The police launched a probe in March after they received a tip that Kobayashi was using drugs.

Kobayashi, a former employee of Ueda Harlow Ltd., a foreign exchange, money market and derivatives broker, was first elected to the Lower House in 2000 as a member of the main opposition party. He was re-elected in 2003 and became the DPJ's vice Diet affairs chief in January.

The Japan Times Weekly: Sept. 24, 2005
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