Former Cabinet Minister Accus+ ed of Accepting Bribe Tokyo, Sept. 28.
Mr. Hetkichi Ogawa, the Minister of Railways in the late Tanaka Cabinet and Tanaka's chief political Kieutonant, has been summoned to the Public Procurator's office for auctioning in connection with charges of bribery.
The charges arise from the granting of numerous private railway, building permits and also from the government's purchase of. several Private lines just before the downe fall of the Tanaka Ministry.
According to the Japanese papers My. Ogawa is, charged with the acceptance of Yen 600,000.
The ease has caused a tremendous sensation in_politieal circles for although since the change of the Cabinets there have been numerous scandals, involving officials of the former regime, Me. Ogawa is the first member of the former cabinet who has een involved.
The Emperor's sanction was tained prior to summoning Mr. Ogawa because he is the holder of sand has Court, The scandal calculated to affect in a marked gree the General Election which will probably. take place early in 1980 because Ogawa is the chief political ins pulator in the Seiyukai Opposition Party.
Later.
Mz. Heikichi Ogawa his been formally indicted and charged with oficial corruption and the accepts ance of bribes, It is expected that he will' be imprisoned to-night without bail.
His indictment followed a two hours' search of his home by the preliminary judge and the procun for of the Tokyo District Court—Reuter. 1
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