Three former secretaries of Democratic Party of Japan kingpin Ichiro Ozawa were given suspended prison terms Monday for making false entries in the financial reports of Ozawa's political fund management body Rikuzankai in 2004, 2005 and 2007.
The outcome is likely to influence a separate trial for Ozawa that is scheduled to start on Oct. 6. The former DPJ leader is being charged for alleged involvement in breaking the Political Funds Control Law.
Ozawa, a 69-year-old backroom politician who still wields considerable clout within the ruling party, has had his party membership suspended over the incident.
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