12 angry Japanese sue lawmakers

In hope of eradicating corrupt politics, 12 Japanese citizens filed a criminal complaint on Thursday with the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office against 10 lawmakers of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, focusing on allegations of secret funds and tax evasion.

The accused lawmakers include five prominent members of the Abe faction within the LDP, identified with the late former prime minister Shinzo Abe. Former chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno and former economy, trade and industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura are on the list.

Allegations suggest that several LDP factions redirected funds exceeding the sales quota for party tickets back to some of their lawmakers as slush funds, with no record of the entire financial flow in the financial statements of the factions or their members. As a result, the lawmakers evaded income tax on the sales revenue.

The scandal, which is considered to be an incredibly unethical act that constitutes a clear violation of the law, has fostered public distrust in Japanese politics. However, the LDP's interim report on political reform, approved on Jan 25, avoided addressing the most important issues, the complainants said.

"Politicians who fail to fulfill their responsibility to clarify the allegations of financial corruption in politics must exit the political stage," they said.

Dozens of protesters held a demonstration in front of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office on Thursday, demanding strict punishment for the accused individuals.

In Japanese law, a political party faction giving money to an individual member of parliament is prohibited, constituting a criminal offense.