Potential Criminal Charges Pursued Against Secretary to Japan's LDP, Hagiuda
In a significant development, Tokyo prosecutors are contemplating issuing a summary indictment against the policy secretary of Koichi Hagiuda, a veteran LDP lawmaker and former minister, for violating the political funds control law. This decision follows a recommendation from a citizens’ prosecution inquest panel, which initially declined to indict Mr. Hagiuda in December 2024 [1][3][4].
The allegations centre around the failure to report approximately 22.9 to 27.28 million yen in kickbacks linked to a now-defunct LDP faction associated with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, covering political funds from 2019 to 2022. The period from 2020 to 2022, which amounts to approximately 19.52 million yen, falls within the statute of limitations for prosecution [1][2].
Initially, prosecutors opted not to indict Mr. Hagiuda in December 2024, granting a stay of prosecution. However, a Tokyo prosecution review panel in June 2025 demanded indictment, expressing concerns that allowing such cases to escape prosecution would perpetuate false reporting in political funds [1][2][3].
If Mr. Hagiuda's policy secretary consents, the summary indictment would enable prosecutors to seek a fine through written procedures without a formal trial. In the absence of consent, prosecutors are expected to file a regular indictment and pursue a public trial without detaining the secretary [1][2][4].
This development marks the first case where prosecutors have chosen to pursue charges related to the LDP slush fund scandal after review panel intervention, reflecting ongoing public frustration over political fund transparency [2].
It is important to note that Mr. Hagiuda himself is not implicated in this indictment but has faced political pressure in the wake of the scandal [2]. The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office is the body considering the indictment. In June this year, the prosecution inquest panel in Tokyo demanded the secretary's indictment.
The secretary remains a member of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the Japanese parliament. The indictment is still pending, as the secretary's consent for the summary indictment has not been obtained.
[1] NHK News, (2025), Tokyo prosecutors review panel demands Koichi Hagiuda's indictment. Retrieved from https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20250601/k10013418871000.html
[2] Asahi Shimbun, (2025), Tokyo prosecutors consider indictment of Koichi Hagiuda's policy secretary in LDP slush fund scandal. Retrieved from https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASG1M77794759.html
[3] Yomiuri Shimbun, (2025), Tokyo prosecutors consider summary indictment for Koichi Hagiuda's policy secretary. Retrieved from https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20250601-OYT2T70224/
[4] Mainichi Shimbun, (2025), Citizens’ prosecution inquest panel recommends indictment of Koichi Hagiuda. Retrieved from https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250601/p2a/00m/0na/021000c
- The upcoming indictment against the policy secretary of Koichi Hagiuda revolves around allegations of failing to report political funds, which violate the policy-and-legislation regarding political funds control.
- general-news outlets report that this indictment is linked to the LDP slush fund scandal, and the summary indictment, if accepted, would involve electronic procedures instead of a formal trial.
- With the indictment still pending, the policy secretary – a member of the House of Representatives – remains under scrutiny, as this case marks the first time prosecutors have opted to pursue charges related to the LDP slush fund scandal following a citizens’ prosecution inquest panel recommendation.
