Opposition leader's aide arrested over donations

Japanese prosecutors raided the office yesterday of opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa, a leading candidate to become the next prime minister, and arrested his top aide on suspicion of accepting dubious donations.

Prosecutors in suits were shown marching into the Democratic Party of Japan leader's office in Tokyo during a nationally televized raid. The prosecutors office said Takanori Okubo, Ozawa's senior aide, was arrested on suspicion of violating regulations on political contributions.

Tokyo prosecutors allege that Ozawa's political funding organization Rikuzankai received 21 million yen ($216,000) in illegal donations between 2003-07 from two company executives at Nishimatsu Construction Co Ltd. The two executives were also arrested yesterday.