Crime & Legal Jun 2, 2014
Ex-Your Party head Watanabe faces criminal complaint
Members of an Osaka civic group file a criminal complaint against former Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe over ¥500 million in dubious loans that made him step down.
Editorial Apr 28, 2014
Plug political funding loopholes
The fact that a question even exists on whether Your Party former chief Yoshimi Watanabe broke the law when he personally borrowed ¥800 million from a cosmetics company chairman ahead of elections points to the inadequacy of current laws on political funding transparency.
Politics & Diplomacy Apr 25, 2014
Watanabe cash unaccounted for
Your Party said Thursday that about ¥90 million in questionable loans from a businessman to Yoshimi Watanabe, the former head of the opposition party, remain unaccounted for. In an investigative report on the loan scandal, the party said some ¥500 million was transferred to ...
Politics & Diplomacy Apr 11, 2014
Asao takes helm of Your Party
by Ayako Mie
Your Party formally appoints Secretary-General Keiichiro Asao as its new president to replace founder Yoshimi Watanabe, who exited amid an ¥800 million loan scandal.
Politics & Diplomacy Apr 9, 2014
Veteran lawmaker Asao to run in Your Party leadership race
A veteran lawmaker of Your Party said Wednesday he will run in the upcoming party leadership election after its chief resigned over a money scandal. “We must protect the party,” Keiichiro Asao, the party’s secretary-general, said at a press conference announcing his candidacy in ...
Politics & Diplomacy Apr 8, 2014
Your Party looks to pick new chief after Watanabe's exit
by Ayako Mie
The embattled Your Party is set to name a new leader as early as Friday to replace Yoshimi Watanabe, who Monday expressed his intention to resign as party chief amid a money scandal. The party’s policy research chief, Kenichi Mizuno, said Tuesday that an ...
Politics & Diplomacy Apr 8, 2014
DHC chairman calls resignation 'impressive' move
Following the resignation Monday of Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe amid a scandal involving ¥800 million in loans from major cosmetics company DHC Corp., its chairman, Yoshiaki Yoshida, issued a statement later the same day. “We can say that (Yoshimi Watanabe) has acted in ...
Politics & Diplomacy Apr 7, 2014
Your Party chief Watanabe to quit amid scandal
by Reiji Yoshida
Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe says he will step down as president of the minor opposition party due to the loan scandal swirling about him.
Politics & Diplomacy Apr 5, 2014
Embattled Your Party head under pressure to resign
Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe is increasingly under pressure to step down from the top party post over ¥800 million in loans he borrowed from Yoshiaki Yoshida, chairman of cosmetics maker DHC Corp., shortly before national elections in 2010 and 2012. Keiichiro Asao, secretary-general ...
Editorial Apr 1, 2014
Watanabe should come clean
Your Party chief Yoshimi Watanabe's lame excuse that he borrowed ¥800 million for individual rather than political expenses from a cosmetics firm chairman only adds to people's distrust of politicians.
Politics & Diplomacy Mar 28, 2014
Your Party chief emailed ¥500 million loan request before '12 election: Yoshida
Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe sent an email message to a corporate executive asking him for a loan of ¥500 million shortly before the December 2012 general election, the businessman said Friday. Watanabe described his party’s campaign difficulties in the email, said Yoshiaki Yoshida, ...
Politics & Diplomacy Mar 27, 2014
Your Party chief probed over ¥800 million in loans before two elections
Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe borrowed ¥800 million before two national elections but failed to list the money in his political funds reports, a businessman alleges.