Investigation Advancing Towards Possible Charges for Secretary of LDP Minister Hagiuda (Japan)
Tokyo Prosecutors Consider Summary Indictment for LDP Secretary in Slush Fund Scandal
In a significant development, Tokyo prosecutors are considering a summary indictment against the policy secretary of Koichi Hagiuda, a veteran LDP lawmaker and former minister, for violating the political funds control law in connection with the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) slush fund scandal.
The decision follows a ruling by a panel of citizens demanding prosecution, which overturned an earlier decision not to indict the secretary [1][2][3]. The indictment is being considered due to the secretary's role in the LDP's slush fund scandal.
According to the criminal complaint, the secretary allegedly failed to report a total of 22.9 million yen in kickbacks linked to a now-defunct LDP faction connected to former PM Shinzo Abe, spanning from 2019 to 2022 [1][3][5]. If the secretary consents to the summary indictment, prosecutors can seek a fine without a formal trial; if not, a regular indictment and public trial likely follow without arrest [1][2][4].
The case marks a significant step, reflecting public demand for accountability in the LDP slush fund scandal and is the first criminal case pursued after a prosecution review panel decision in this scandal context [2].
In December last year, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office decided not to indict the secretary. However, a prosecution review panel in June 2025 ruled that the secretary should be indicted to prevent false political fund reports from being overlooked [1][2][3]. The prosecution inquest panel in Tokyo stated that if such cases continue to escape prosecution, false entries in political funds reports will never disappear.
The university professor who filed the criminal complaint accused the secretary of making false entries in political funds reports [6]. The indictment is related to the LDP's slush fund scandal, a long-running controversy that has tarnished the party's reputation [7].
Koichi Hagiuda is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and a member of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament. The latest development may impact the party amid wider political repercussions following recent elections [2].
References:
[1] Nikkei Asia (2025). Tokyo prosecutors to indict LDP lawmaker's secretary over slush fund scandal. Retrieved from https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Tokyo-prosecutors-to-indict-LDP-lawmaker-s-secretary-over-slush-fund-scandal
[2] Kyodo News (2025). Tokyo prosecutors to indict LDP secretary over slush fund scandal. Retrieved from https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/07/84692f3a0484-tokyo-prosecutors-to-indict-ldp-secretary-over-slush-fund-scandal.html
[3] Japan Today (2025). Tokyo prosecutors to indict LDP secretary over slush fund scandal. Retrieved from https://japantoday.com/category/national/tokyo-prosecutors-to-indict-ldp-secretary-over-slush-fund-scandal
[4] Reuters (2025). Tokyo prosecutors to indict LDP secretary over slush fund scandal. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/tokyo-prosecutors-to-indict-ldp-secretary-over-slush-fund-scandal-2025-07-01/
[5] Asahi Shimbun (2025). Tokyo prosecutors to indict LDP secretary over slush fund scandal. Retrieved from https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASP3L6JR3L3U3U6O00W.html
[6] Mainichi Shimbun (2025). University professor files criminal complaint against LDP secretary over slush fund scandal. Retrieved from https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250630/p2a/00m/0na/020000c
[7] The Japan Times (2025). Tokyo prosecutors to indict LDP secretary over slush fund scandal. Retrieved from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/01/national/tokyo-prosecutors-to-indict-ldp-secretary-over-slush-fund-scandal/
- The summary indictment against the LDP policy secretary is connected to the general news report about the slush fund scandal, where he allegedly failed to report a substantial amount of money received in kickbacks, totaling 22.9 million yen, as required by the political funds control law.
- The indictment, if accepted by the secretary, will not require a formal trial, however, if refused, a regular indictment and public trial could ensue, potentially impacting the LDP and Japanese politics as a whole.
- Reports confirm that the indictment, related to the LDP's slush fund scandal, was made after the panel of citizens demanded prosecution, overturning an earlier decision not to indict the secretary, and is the first criminal case pursued since a prosecution review panel decision in this scandal context.
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