Ex-Japan lawmaker pleads guilty to illegal campaign in mayor election

Former ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Mito Kakizawa pleaded guilty on Wednesday to allegations of illegal campaign financing related to a Tokyo ward election last April."I have decided not to contest any of the charges," the 53-year-old former senior vice justice minister said at the first hearing of his trial at the Tokyo District Court, acknowledging that he bears "heavy" responsibility.Kakizawa has been indicted for violating the election law by making payments, or having offered to do so, totaling about 2.8 million yen ($19,000) for bribery in connection with the Koto Ward may…READ FULL ARTICLE