The Yomiuri Shimbun
Former Administrative Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya appeared calm Wednesday prior to his arrest on suspicion of taking bribes from a former executive of defense contractor Yamada Corp.
Shortly after 10 a.m., a taxi arrived in front of Moriya's house in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. As the taxi pulled up next to the house, two women wearing hats and gauze masks stretched a white cloth between the house and the taxi. A woman covered with a blanket, who appeared to be Moriya's wife, and then Moriya, wearing a navy-blue suit, came out of the house.
Moriya, the blanket-covered woman and one other person got into the taxi. Sitting in the back seat, Moriya, who looked straight ahead expressionless, did not answer when reporters asked, "Are you going to present yourself [to prosecutors]?"
The taxi left at about 10:10 a.m.
Meanwhile, at the Defense Ministry, senior officials had kept a close eye on events since early morning. Some officials there looked shocked upon hearing reports of Moriya's imminent arrest.
After learning that Moriya had left his house, one senior ministry official said, looking confused, "It was all expected, but now it truly feels like it's finally happened."
"I can't believe Moriya played not only golf but also took money," the official said.
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Wife seen as flamboyant
Moriya's wife, Sachiko, 56, who also was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of taking bribes from Motonobu Miyazaki, former executive at Yamada, was known as a sociable person, but her flashy clothes and personality also attracted attention.
Sachiko joined the then Defense Agency in 1970 and met Moriya while working there.
According to sources, until Moriya resigned from his post, Sachiko served as an executive of Mihatokai, a social group comprising wives of senior officials. She also played the central role in the group.
One senior ministry official said, "She's a lively and sociable person, and those who worked for Mr. Moriya spoke highly of her."
However, another senior official said it appeared she liked to flaunt her high-flying lifestyle.
Before the news of her arrest was reported, some officials appeared surprised. "She doesn't seem like someone who would do things like that," one said.
(Nov. 29, 2007)
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