Economic Planning Agency chief Fukushiro Nukaga received a total of 15 million yen in donations in November 1999 and last April from the then chairman of KSD, a scandal-tainted mutual aid organization for small firms, informed sources said Saturday.

The money from Tadao Koseki, 79, who has been indicted on charges including breach of trust, was delivered while Nukaga was serving as deputy chief Cabinet secretary under the late Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi.

Nukaga's office said all the money was returned to Koseki last May after the lawmaker learned of the donations. They added that the lawmaker has met with Koseki but has never received requests concerning legislative steps or to curry favor with the Labor Ministry. According to the sources, Koseki ordered his men to send 5 million yen to Nukaga's office in November last year and 10 million yen in April.