Lawmaker Anri Kawai released on ¥12 mil bail after 4 months in detention

What does her defense team say? Why are we only allowed to hear the position of the prosecutors and judges, especially as she's pleaded not guilty?

More proof that the Japanese media (Kyodo in this case) is pro-system and anti-public.

And she has had her passport confiscated too?

Well, nice to see she has ￥12 million yen laying around to pay her bail! Bet she used some of the LDP (tax payer money) funds to pay for it!

More proof that the Japanese media (Kyodo in this case) is pro-system and anti-public.

we didn't need any more proof. The japanese media and justice system are about as rotten as a unidentified covid 19 corpse that has been dead for 6 months in an unattended Tokyo apartment.

And she has had her passport confiscated too?

NAH.. She's a JAPANESE AND a member of the LDP gumi. Passport confiscation is only for us foreign barbarians.

Well, nice to see she has ￥12 million yen laying around to pay her bail! Bet she used some of the LDP (tax payer money) funds to pay for it!

I'll bet the LDP forked out all of her bail. They're all as rotten as the covid 19 corpse mentioned above.

Local politicians who accepted the bribe have told prosecutors that when receiving the money they were specifically told this (money) is from the Prime Minister. Anri and her husband both received their summer bonuses even after being indicted as most Japanese were losing jobs and going into bankruptcy. Sorry, no sympathy from me, and I would hope that the prosecutors go after the big Shinzo apple too.

It's one rule for us and 'another' rule for the elite class as per usual!!

sigh..

It took 6 people to release her, some paperwork and a hanko at each stage of release (my guess)

Sorry, no sympathy from me, and I would hope that the prosecutors go after the big Shinzo apple too.

It would be nice dbsaiya, but I'm not holding my breath.. As Dan Lavender said

It's one rule for us and 'another' rule for the elite class as per usual!!

12 million.? That's more way more than most people earn in a year. Must be nice to be a criminal and an LDP member. Guessing a suspended sentance.

And the sad thing this vote buying in so so many forms has been going on FOREVER in Japan, so this couple must have really messed up & got their bit in the public eye or they are being sacrificed for some reason

She is convicted, she is jailed, she broke laws, yet she is still a law maker !!!!!!!

What kind of joke is that ? A rule based Japan ?? What kind of rule ???

Aly Ruston, you're right and I'm not holding my breath either, been around too long but I would like to see the press keep putting pressure on ol' Abe.

What ever happened to Innocent until proven guilty?

Perhaps they should lock up the "whistle blowers" for four months and see if they keep saying what they said is true, While interviewing them everyday and telling them to admit they lied or stay for longer.

@akie

She is convicted, she is jailed, she broke laws, yet she is still a law maker !!!!!!!

She has been indicted on a charge of vote-buying not convicted she has not been jailed she has been held for four months for "questioning" and she has continued to deny the charge.

Why is everyone so fixated on the 12 million yen? It's no surprise that a career couple in their 40s and 50s have at least that amount saved up - and why assume she didn't borrow it from relatives?

@Maria: because none believe the Politian's but shoganai ne...

12 million.? That's more way more than most people earn in a year. Must be nice to be a criminal and an LDP member. Guessing a suspended sentance.

In term of USD, I just realize how small of that amount for many corrupt crooks in Wall Streets and Trump administration.

Here we go again with the craziest excuse - destroying evidence.

She is looking good for 47. Detention obviously agrees with her.

Have any of you seen in the news anything about the 30-odd local politicians they bribed being arrested?

As far as I can figure, the only crime in the eyes of the Japanese justice system is that she didn't bribe the right people enough.

she looks so common and modest in the photo.

I don’t think she will illegally leave the country. She is man enough to face the music.

I agree with Maria. If you're 47 and can't draw 100k from a pot somewhere for an emergency, you're not in for a very rosy retirement, or any sort of retirement.

Oh yeah, if you're even 40 and don't have $100k in savings or assets that can be drawn down on, you are in big trouble and have failed big time

Many in their 40s and 50s are struggling to put a couple of kids through high school and university. Not much left over for paying bail.

@Septim Dynasty - all Politicians are generally in it for what they can get out of it, regardless Dictator or Communist. Religious leaders are also, not immune to this "disease".

Fall guys, Ade and Also are the big crims, most like she has been paid off as well to do the time

As a condition of bail, she will not be allowed to talk to her spouse, just like Ghosn and his wife were not allowed to talk to each other. After all, they might collude with each other or give each other mental energy, support and encouragement that would allow them to resist the endless interrogations.