A senior Foreign Ministry diplomat suspected of embezzling public funds between 1993 and 1998 had opened seven personal accounts at three major banks since 1993, in which a total of 350 million yen was once deposited, sources close to the case alleged.
The 55-year-old official, whose name is being withheld, repeatedly deposited and withdrew cash from the accounts, making the total amount of money believed to have been transferred to the accounts much higher than 350 million yen, the sources said.
The Metropolitan Police Department suspects the official diverted ministry funds to the accounts for his personal use, the sources said. Since 1997, the official has purchased luxury items such as an expensive condominium in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward and 14 race horses.
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