The trial of three former aides of former Democratic Party of Japan chief Ichiro Ozawa started Monday. The trio has been indicted on charges of falsifying 2004, 2005 and 2007 records for Mr. Ozawa's political funds management body Rikuzankai. At the outset of the trial at the Tokyo District Court, the three pleaded not guilty. The outcome of the trial will have a great bearing on the separate trial of Mr. Ozawa.
He was indicted Jan. 31 on a false reporting charge by three court-appointed lawyers on the strength of two successive votes by a 11-member citizens' legal panel to overturn the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office's decision not to indict him.
The arguments of the prosecution and those of Mr. Ozawa's former aides conflict head-on. It is hoped that the court will do its best to determine the facts related to Rikuzankai's reports with convincing objectivity and forceful reasoning.