An ex-bank official associated with former public security agency chief Shigetake Ogata pleaded not guilty Friday to fraud, denying that he took part in an investment scam to swindle the pro-Pyongyang group Chongryon out of the ownership of its Tokyo headquarters building.
Koji Kawae, 43, told the Tokyo District Court that he did not conspire with Ogata and "never thought of defrauding" the Korean group.
"I apologize sincerely to Chongryon for causing the confusion and much trouble," Kawae said during his trial's first session, but claimed he did not work together with Ogata and was unaware of the alleged criminal plot.