Embattled lawmaker Muneo Suzuki on Tuesday denied during his testimony before a Lower House committee session that the money he received from a Hokkaido-based lumber company in 1998 was in return for political favors.
The two-hour closed session of the House of Representatives steering committee is part of the procedural process required before the Diet can permit prosecutors to arrest Suzuki.
Suzuki is expected to be arrested after the Lower House gives its approval at a plenary session vote on Wednesday afternoon. Top executives of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party agreed Tuesday afternoon that the party would vote in support of Suzuki's arrest.