Ozawa attacks prosecution, maintains innocence in closing argument

glad to see innocent man making top headline news !

"Illegal investigation"? How does that work?

Prosecutors admitted early on they had no evidence against Ozawa, but a "citizens jury" ordered that the prosecution go ahead anyway.

Prosecutors admitted early on they had no evidence against Ozawa, but a "citizens jury" ordered that the prosecution go ahead anyway.

That's one way of looking at it. Or you could say that a particular group of lawyers were pressured to throw the towel in before the fight had started. The prosecutors running the case now are much more enthusiastic.

all this with the 400 million yen just lying around the house - just like everyone else.

The citizen jury was not influenced by his position, power, or money and decided on their own that where there is smoke there has to be fire.

Besides that it's nice to see that no one is beyond suspicion and everyone get's their day in court. I personally feel though that from the information I have seen and read so far on this topic that the prosecutors in this case managed to bungle it just enough that Ozawa will be found not guilty. (Here's to hoping otherwise)

FINALLY I FOUND THE EVIDENCE THAT PROVES HE DONE IT !!!!!

HE'S THE GUY IN THE BROWN BUSINESS SUIT !!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VCpOjR93xw&feature=related

Ozawa’s strong political influence, which is based on his vast wealth and allegedly lucrative connections, giving him the status of backroom singermaker and kingmaker of the brewski

"So what's illegal about that?"

I assume that he was thinking of the former system, whereby evidence -- and/or confessions, of course -- played a part in determining a person's guilt. Love or hate Ozawa, I find this case troubling -- that the authorities can doggedly pursue an individual, including putting them on trial, even when they know they don't have evidence. What if YOU were falsely accused? What protections would you have? Not a lot. And in Japan, arrest equals guilty, regardless of the verdict.

Welcome to medieval justice, where a group of common folk can put you on trial jail just because they don't like your perceived arrogance.

I find this case troubling -- that the authorities can doggedly pursue an individual, including putting them on trial, even when they know they don't have evidence.

First it was about the investigation, now its about the trial? Make up your mind sir.

Fact is that his aides, the people whom he directs, have been found guilty. What evidence do you expect there to be of a man giving his aides verbal orders? If the world ran that way, no leader would ever go down for illegal orders unless you put a tap on his phone. And then you would be crying about illegal investigations!

The man is not on trial on a whim. Illegal activity was going on under him. Its known and proven. Whether Ozawa is a liar or not is not something determined in investigations, but rather in a courtroom. Testimony from witnesses is also a type of evidence, and that evidence is put together in a courtroom.

Now if we cud somehow get ozawa & these prosecutors all locked up that wud be a good day for Japan

He's a snake that belongs in jail. Hoping he's found guilty. Would be nice to see the ball rolling on these men who think they are above the law.

This guy needs serious jail time, he is just using treats to try to clear his name.

This has been a long process for all concerned.

We can only hope that Justice will be served at the end of this long, and arduous period in Japan's history.

I suppose, in a way, he is innocent. He is only guilty of doing the same thing as nearly every other Japanese politician before him. The only difference is, he got caught.

Disillusioned.

As one of my school-teachers put it.

"You get the punishment not for being naughty but for being stupid enough to get caught."

Prosecutors admitted early on they had no evidence against Ozawa, but a "citizens jury" ordered that the prosecution go ahead anyway.

Yes. Ozawa is pretty clearly the victim of a nasty witch hunt here. I don't like the guy much, but what they're doing to him is just plain wrong.

He won't go to jail, let's be realistic here. I'm sure the Judge deliberating is the best money can buy.

Ozawa attacks prosecution, maintains innocence in closing argument

Or

Defence attacks prosecution, maintains innocence in closing argument

Isn't that what happens at every trial? Or do some defendants agree wiith the prosecutors and admit guilt during closing? Can't wait for the verdict on this one.

There is hope for him. Unlike Noda, he hides his lies well. Noda wants to raise the consumption tax numerous times...get him out of office now.

I firmly believe that Ozawa is too "people oriented" to do what he is accused of. I have no vote but I do TRUST this man who has truly represented the PEOPLE!

There was enough evidence (circumstantial or direct) to get this far in the judicial process. As pointed out above, aides have been found guilty or confessed. So, there appears to be some basis for putting this guy on the hot seat. Therefore, I find Ozawa's comments weird, unless I put on my J. justice glasses.

At this point, the process should just be measuring the evidence (to include veracity) against the law. The comments following the trial are the ones to watch, e.g., a denunciation of the citizen jury, changes in criminal procedures, political firings?