Prosecutors demanded a six-year prison term Wednesday for former Labor Minister Toshio Yamaguchi, who is accused of breach of trust and other charges in connection with illicit lending by two failed Tokyo-based credit unions.
During the day's session at the Tokyo District Court, prosecutors accused Yamaguchi, 59, of abusing his status as a Diet member to pursue his personal interests.
After a final rebuttal from Yamaguchi's lawyers in October, the court is expected to hand down a ruling next spring.