Former Lower House member Tadayoshi Iijima was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for five years, for giving or trying to give gift certificates to 24 supporters in connection with the June 25 general election.

The Yokohama District Court also ordered Iijima, 55, to pay a penalty of 560,000 yen. Prosecutors had sought an 18-month prison term and a 560,000 yen fine.

Iijima won his first Diet seat in October 1996. Backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, he had sought re-election in Kanagawa Prefecture's No. 4 single-seat constituency.

Despite his loss, Iijima gave certificates worth between 50,000 yen and 100,000 yen each after the election to thank those who helped collect votes for him, the court said.

Two Kamakura and three Zushi municipal assembly members, nine Hayama town assembly members as well as an LDP local chapter executive accepted the certificates, while nine others refused them, it said.

Most of the local assembly members later returned the certificates to Iijima, according to the court.

In court sessions, Iijima apologized to voters by saying his thoughtless conduct caused public distrust in politics. He has also expressed his intention to retire from politics.

After being handed the sentence, Iijima told reporters that he wants to contribute to society in a different way. "I accept the ruling gravely and I have no intention to appeal to a higher court," he said.