An aide and an election campaign worker for former New Conservative Party leader Hiroshi Kumagai received suspended prison sentences Thursday for violating the election law in November.
The Hamamatsu Branch of the Shizuoka District Court sentenced the aide, Tatsuya Hidaka, 41, to 18 months in prison, suspended for five years. The election campaigner, Kim Tae Hyong, 36, was handed a one-year sentence, suspended for four years, and ordered to pay 1 million yen in penalties.
Hidaka deposited 1 million yen into Kim's bank account and asked him to distribute handbills defaming Kumagai's chief rival in the Shizuoka No. 7 constituency on Nov. 7, two days before the House of Representatives election. Kumagai, 63, lost the election.
Kumagai has denied any involvement, but the Tokyo High Public Prosecutor's Office will bring a suit against him under administrative procedures, provided that Hidaka does not appeal the ruling.
Lawyers for the defendants said immediately after the ruling that they do not intend to appeal.