Public prosecutors may question senior lawmaker Muneo Suzuki next week on allegations he received 5 million yen in bribes from a Hokkaido lumber firm when he was deputy chief Cabinet secretary in 1998, and seek his arrest, law enforcement sources said Friday.
The prosecutors are expected to ask the Diet for permission to arrest the scandal-tainted lawmaker after questioning him. Lawmakers have immunity from arrest when the legislature is in session, and Diet approval is thus required for an arrest.
Suzuki, 54, allegedly received the money Aug. 4, 1998, shortly after he became deputy chief Cabinet secretary in late July.