Former Nishimatsu Construction Co. President Mikio Kunisawa pleaded guilty June 19 to charges in connection with a political funding scandal that cost Democratic Party of Japan chief Ichiro Ozawa his job in May.

During his first trial session at the Tokyo District Court, prosecutors demanded 18 months imprisonment for Kunisawa, 70, claiming Ozawa's office acted as "the voice of heaven" in deciding the winners of bids for public-works projects in Iwate and Akita prefectures.

Kunisawa admitted he was involved in making illegal donations worth ¥5 million via two dummy entities to Ozawa's fund management body.

The ex-Nishimatsu head is also charged with bringing into Japan money from an overseas slush fund without reporting it to customs, in violation of the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law.