A woman allegedly received a total of about $12,750 from the U.S. Red Cross and another unnamed aid organization, while a man received about $2,500 from the aid organization.

The two are also suspected of together applying unsuccessfully for a $1 million loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration, falsely claiming that their rented office near the World Trade Center had been damaged in the attacks. Both have denied the accusations.

Under a 1980 extradition treaty, Japan can use its discretion to send citizens suspected of felonies to face trial in the United States. Tokyo does not extradite Japanese nationals to countries other than the United States and South Korea, with which it has a similar treaty.

The Japan Times Weekly: Oct. 22, 2005
(C) All rights reserved