Japanese composer Masaru Sato

Japanese composer Masaru Sato

Photo taken at an unknown place on March 17, 1994, shows the late Japanese composer Masaru Sato, known for his film score compositions, including for Godzilla movies and works by renowned Japanese director Akira Kurosawa. Sato died in December 1999 at 71.

U.S. concerned over info leak to Russia through Japan diplomat

U.S. concerned over info leak to Russia through Japan diplomat

TOKYO, Japan - Masaru Sato (L), a Russian affairs expert at the Foreign Ministry, and lawmaker Muneo Suzuki (R) are seen together with Russian officials in a photo taken on Oct. 29, 2000 on the Russian-held Kunashiri Island, east of Hokkaido. The United States is concerned about possible leaks of U.S. information to Russia through Sato, who was arrested for alleged fund fraud on May 14.

Prosecutors nab diplomats in fund fraud

Prosecutors nab diplomats in fund fraud

TOKYO, Japan - Akira Maejima, assistant director of the Foreign Ministry's Oceanian Division, leaves his home in Funabashi, Chiba, on May 14. Later in the day, Maejima and Masaru Sato, an expert on Russian affairs in the ministry, were arrested by prosecutors on suspicion of using more than 33 million yen in funds earmarked for an international aid panel for Russia to pay for a trip to Israel.

Russian expert Sato arrested for alleged fund fraud+

Russian expert Sato arrested for alleged fund fraud+

TOKYO, Japan - Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi is surrounded by reporters at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on May 14 after Masaru Sato, a veteran Russian affairs expert at the ministry, was arrested by prosecutors on suspicion of using funds earmarked for an aid panel for Russia for a trip to Israel.

Prosecutors to probe Russian expert Sato in fund fraud

Prosecutors to probe Russian expert Sato in fund fraud

TOKYO, Japan - Masaru sato, a veteran Russian affairs expert at the Foreign Ministry, is surrounded by media members as he comes out of his house in Tokyo on May 14. Investigation sources said prosecutors plan to investigate Sato and other Foreign Ministry personnel on suspicion of using funds earmarked for an aid panel for Russia for a trip to Israel.

Russian expert Sato arrested for alleged fund fraud+

Russian expert Sato arrested for alleged fund fraud+

TOKYO, Japan - Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi is surrounded by reporters at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on May 14 after Masaru Sato, a veteran Russian affairs expert at the ministry, was arrested by prosecutors on suspicion of using funds earmarked for an aid panel for Russia for a trip to Israel.

Foreign Ministry's ex-Russian expert pleads not guilty

Foreign Ministry's ex-Russian expert pleads not guilty

TOKYO, Japan - Masaru Sato, a former Russian affairs expert at the Foreign Ministry, enters the Tokyo District Court building on Sept. 17 to attend the first hearing of a trial linked to arrested lawmaker Muneo Suzuki. Sato pleaded not guilty to charges of misusing state funds and conspiracy to rig the bidding for a public tender. (Kyodo)

Ex-intelligence analyst slams Abe's national security strategy

Ex-intelligence analyst slams Abe's national security strategy

Masaru Sato, a writer and former Japanese Foreign Ministry intelligence analyst, speaks at a symposium in Tokyo on April 3, 2015, criticizing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the ruling coalition for leading discussions on national security legislation based on what he termed unrealistic assumptions. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Guilty verdict for diplomat over fund misuse to be finalized

Guilty verdict for diplomat over fund misuse to be finalized

TOKYO, Japan - Diplomat Masaru Sato (L), also known as a best-selling writer, speaks to reporters in Tokyo on July 1 after the Supreme Court decided to reject his appeal. Sato was found guilty by lower courts of misusing state funds and interfering in bidding for an aid project for Russia under the influence of House of Representatives member Muneo Suzuki. (Kyodo)

High court upholds guilty ruling on ex-intel diplomat Sato

High court upholds guilty ruling on ex-intel diplomat Sato

TOKYO, Japan - former Foreign Ministry analyst Masaru Sato, charged with misusing state funds and interfering in an aid project for Russia in 2000 under the influence of outspoken lawmaker Muneo Suzuki, arrives at the Tokyo High Court on Jan. 31. The court upheld a lower court's guilty ruling on him. (Kyodo)

U.S. concerned over info leak to Russia through Japan diplomat

U.S. concerned over info leak to Russia through Japan diplomat

TOKYO, Japan - Masaru Sato (L), a Russian affairs expert at the Foreign Ministry, and lawmaker Muneo Suzuki (R) are seen together with Russian officials in a photo taken on Oct. 29, 2000 on the Russian-held Kunashiri Island, east of Hokkaido. The United States is concerned about possible leaks of U.S. information to Russia through Sato, who was arrested for alleged fund fraud on May 14.

Prosecutors to probe Russian expert Sato in fund fraud

Prosecutors to probe Russian expert Sato in fund fraud

TOKYO, Japan - Masaru sato, a veteran Russian affairs expert at the Foreign Ministry, is surrounded by media members as he comes out of his house in Tokyo on May 14. Investigation sources said prosecutors plan to investigate Sato and other Foreign Ministry personnel on suspicion of using funds earmarked for an aid panel for Russia for a trip to Israel.

Prosecutors nab diplomats in fund fraud

Prosecutors nab diplomats in fund fraud

TOKYO, Japan - Akira Maejima, assistant director of the Foreign Ministry's Oceanian Division, leaves his home in Funabashi, Chiba, on May 14. Later in the day, Maejima and Masaru Sato, an expert on Russian affairs in the ministry, were arrested by prosecutors on suspicion of using more than 33 million yen in funds earmarked for an international aid panel for Russia to pay for a trip to Israel.