Police arrested Suzuo Yamashita, 59, on Oct. 1 on suspicion that he gave cash and a new car to a donor in return for a kidney, and his partner, Kazuko Matsushita, 59, for allegedly brokering the deal.

Police also raided a hospital to look for medical records and evidence of the illegal organ trade.

Yamashita, who suffers from diabetes, underwent organ transplant surgery in September after a 59-year-old female agreed to donate her kidney, police said. The donor, whose name was not released by police, was hospitalized because of undisclosed health problems.

The Japan Times Weekly: Oct. 7, 2006
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