Tanaka held in Lockheed scandal

Press, 28 July 1976, Page 9

Tanaka held in Lockheed scandal

NZPA-Reuter Tokyo The former Japanese Prime Minister, Mr Kakuei Tanaka, was arrested yesterday in connection with the Lockheed pay-off scandal that has rocked Japan’s political and business world. Officials of the Tokyo District Prosecutor’s, office announced the arrest after Mr Tanaka had been summoned to come there for question-, ing.

They said he was chanted i with violation of the for/gn s exchange and foreign trade-, i control law. Mr Tanaka, a self-made ([man who amassed wealth '.and gained political promin- [ ence in a career that began i shortly after World War 11, I resigned as Prime Minister 11 in 1974 in the midst of a ‘ controversy over big-money politics. ' He still is a member of the :Diet (Parliament), and had been one of the dominant [[figures in the ruling Liberal ['Democratic Party. ! While the arrest warrant hwas being served on him at lithe, prosecutor’s office, ipfflcials were carrying out searches of his home and ' office. . The Lockheed scandal (erupted in February when a ■ United States Senate corn-

mittee reported that Lockheed had spent BUSI2M to promote its aircraft sales in Japan, SUS2M of it to bribe officials and politicians. Fourteen business and airline executives and emjpioyees have been arrested Iso far, and recent press reports have indicated that the .Lockheed investigation will | finally reach the politicians [and bureaucrats involved. i In Los Angeles on Monday court, appearances by Lockheed executives were put off, and court officials said they would disclose today the contents of a signed order inaugurating the next phase in proceedings on pay-offs by Lockheed to Japanese officials.