Prosecutors have searched several locations linked to former Tokyo Gov. Naoki Inose as part of their investigation into ¥50 million he received from a major hospital chain, sources said Saturday.
Inose, 67, has repeatedly maintained the money provided by Tokushukai in November 2012 was a personal loan, but Torao Tokuda, founder of the hospital chain, was quoted as telling the prosecutors that it was to be used for Inose's gubernatorial election campaign.
If the ¥50 million was channeled to his election bid, Inose was obligated to list it in his fund report for the campaign. However, he failed to do so.
The locations searched included Inose's personal office, the sources said.
The move came after a citizens' group filed a criminal complaint claiming Inose had violated the Public Office Election Law by failing to list the Tokushukai money.
Inose won the gubernatorial election in December 2012 but stepped down a year later over the money scandal.
Tokushukai was involved in a separate election fraud that led to Tokuda's son, Takeshi, 42, giving up his Diet seat.