The political career of Democratic Party of Japan heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa, who has been at the center stage of politics for more than 20 years, was effectively crushed Monday when the Tokyo No. 5 Inquest Committee decided to indict him over falsified political funds reports, political observers said.
The indictment of the disgraced party don, however, could help solidify Prime Minister Naoto Kan's political base in the DPJ and improve his opinion poll ratings if he manages to force Ozawa out of the ruling party or weaken his clout within, they said.
"Ozawa is now a defendant in a criminal trial. His political career is effectively over," political commentator Hirotada Asakawa said.