Prosecutors Friday arrested Democratic Party of Japan Lower House member Tomohiro Ishikawa in connection with a dubious land deal linked to DPJ No. 2 Ichiro Ozawa's political fund management organ.
Ishikawa, 36, used to oversee clerical work at Rikuzankai, Ozawa's funds body, before he became a lawmaker. Prosecutors believe Ishikawa played a role in the 2004 Tokyo land buy, in which an unregistered ¥400 million was allegedly used.
He claimed the ¥400 million was handed over as "loans" from Ozawa. Prosecutors apparently suspect Ozawa got the cash from general contractors.