The Tokyo District Court will issue its verdict Thursday in the trial of former Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa, who stands accused of violating the Political Funds Control Law.
Ozawa heads the ruling DPJ's largest faction and adamantly opposes the sales tax hike being pursued by the party president, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, thus the verdict could impact Noda's agenda.
The trial has focused on whether Ozawa, 69, conspired with three former aides, including lawmaker Tomohiro Ishikawa, to submit false reports for the kingpin's Rikuzankai fund management body in connection with a land purchase in 2004. The verdict session will convene at 10 a.m.