NARITA, Chiba Pref. -- Former Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa on Feb. 5 flatly denied an allegation that he received money from Tatsuo Tomobe, a House of Councilors member who is under arrest on suspicion of fraud, to ensure Tomobe was elected in the July 1995 Upper House election.
"I never received money from Tomobe in any form," Hosokawa told reporters at a press conference. "I do not know of any dubious dealings that existed in connection with Tomobe running in the election as an official Shinshinto candidate," said Hosokawa, a senior member of the party.
Hosokawa said he is willing to cooperate with police in their investigation into Tomobe, who was elected as a Diet member from a proportional representation constituency after failing in four Diet elections between 1983 and 1992. "If the Diet decides to summon me as a sworn witness on the matter, I will comply with the decision and testify," Hosokawa added.