Prosecutors make first arrest in LDP political funding scandal

A lawmaker from the largest faction within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Sunday became the first to be arrested over allegations linked to a political fundraising scandal that has engulfed the party.

Prosecutors suspect Lower House lawmaker Yoshitaka Ikeda received a total of ¥48.26 million ($333,000) over five years through 2022 from slush funds created by the faction formerly led by late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

His policy secretary, Kazuhiro Kakinuma, 45, was also arrested. The two are accused of having failed to declare the money Ikeda received in political fundraising reports.