Overview

• The Metropolitan Police Department and seven prefectural police arrested Delpara president Yamamoto Masanori (real name Lee Chang-nor), 50, and six executives on Aug. 26 on suspicion of violating the Public Offices Election Law.
• Investigators say executives promised employees 3,000–4,000 yen each in return for voting for Abe Yasuhisa, 66, the pachinko industry–backed LDP proportional candidate who won about 88,000 votes and lost.
• Company managers allegedly instructed staff in early July via an online meeting to vote for Abe and to provide photo proof, including images of voting certificates.
• Cash was reportedly to be recorded as “overtime pay” when proof images were submitted, though authorities say confirmation that employees actually received payments is pending.
• Police estimate about 250 employees cast ballots as directed, and roughly 280 people could face prosecution as the probe examines any coordination with Abe’s campaign.