Was there a dispute between the secretaries of Mizu Kakizawa and Yayoi Kimura over “payments”? Suspicion of illegality in election staff compensation: Tokyo Shimbun TOKYO Web

Regarding the Koto Ward mayoral election, suspicions have emerged that Liberal Democratic Party member of the House of Representatives Mito Kakizawa paid illegal compensation to former Ward Mayor Yayoi Kimura’s campaign staff. In interviews with this newspaper, staff members who said they received compensation denied any illegality, saying, “The amount was within the legal range.” On the other hand, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office’s special investigation department is investigating the circumstances, believing that some staff members may have received compensation that exceeded the upper limit.

According to this newspaper’s interview, the election car used in the ward mayor’s election was arranged by a company that appears to have ties to the Kakizawa office. It has been revealed that during the election period, Mr. Kakizawa’s secretaries and others gave instructions to campaigners in vehicles.

According to people involved, there is a possibility that staff members other than the vehicle campaigners reported to the election board by the Kimura camp were also paid at Kakizawa’s expense. Mr. Kimura’s secretary was reportedly in trouble when Mr. Kakizawa’s secretary refused to pay his staff.

◆”I’ve been told not to talk about compensation.”

The woman, who had been reported to the National Election Commission by the Kimura camp as a campaigner, admitted that she received a daily allowance for the interview, saying that it was within the legal limit of 15,000 yen a day, and that she did not receive any “illegal compensation.” I said no. Another staff member remained silent, saying, “We’ve been told not to talk about compensation.”

A female vehicle campaigner who said she did not receive compensation said, “The reason I supported Mr. Kimura was because Mr. Kakizawa introduced me to him. Mr. Kakizawa told me that he wanted to change Koto Ward, so I met Mr. Kimura and helped him.” Mr. Kakizawa said. revealed his involvement. Mr. Kakizawa’s side is suspected of being deeply involved not only in the Kimura camp’s election practices but also in its financial affairs. Were there any instructions from Mr. Kakizawa? Mr. Kakizawa has not responded to interviews since resigning as Deputy Minister of Justice. (Mashinori Inoue, Gaku Nakasangaku)