Yoshie Yamaguchi, 62, elder sister of former Labor Minister Toshio Yamaguchi, was given a suspended 2 1/2-year prison term for collaborating with her brother in having the bankrupt Tokyo Kyowa and Anzen credit unions extend loans illegally to her golf course company.

Presiding Judge Masaki Wakahara said the defendant played a key role in soliciting the transactions, including carrying out procedures for the loan extensions, which left the two credit unions with heavy losses.

The Tokyo District Court pointed out that the former labor minister, who is being tried separately, was also involved in extending the loans. In total, 12 people have been indicted in the case. Yoshie Yamaguchi is the 10th defendant to be sentenced.

Harunori Takahashi, 52, former chief director of Tokyo Kyowa, is also on trial before the same court. According to the court, the defendant collaborated with her brother and Shinsuke Suzuki, 49, to have Tokyo Kyowa provide 1.9 billion yen and Anzen 810 million yen to her company with almost no collateral from June through December 1994.

Suzuki, former chief director of Anzen, who is now serving a 40-month prison term for his part in the scam.