Ex-upper house lawmaker Tomobe dies at 83

Ex-upper house lawmaker Tomobe dies at 83

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken in May 1995 shows Tatsuo Tomobe, a former House of Councillors member who was convicted of fraud and expelled from parliament in 2001. Tomobe died on Jan. 28, 2012, in Tokyo, police said Feb. 3, 2012. He was 83.

Tomobe loses Diet seat as top court rejects objection

Tomobe loses Diet seat as top court rejects objection

TOKYO, Japan - An objection by House of Councillors member Tatsuo Tomobe (file photo), sentenced to 10 years in prison on fraud charges, has been rejected by the Supreme Court, court officials say. As the top court dismissed Tomobe's motion, which was the last means to challenge the court decision, the 10-year imprisonment sentence was finalized and he lost his job as a Diet member.

Ex-upper house lawmaker Tomobe dies at 83

Ex-upper house lawmaker Tomobe dies at 83

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken in May 1995 shows Tatsuo Tomobe, a former House of Councillors member who was convicted of fraud and expelled from parliament in 2001. Tomobe died on Jan. 28, 2012, in Tokyo, police said Feb. 3, 2012. He was 83. (Kyodo)

Swindler Tomobe gets longest-ever jail term for lawmaker

Swindler Tomobe gets longest-ever jail term for lawmaker

TOKYO, Japan - House of Councillors member Tatsuo Tomobe (file photo) faces 10 years in prison, the heaviest punishment ever imposed on a lawmaker, after the Supreme Court rejected his appeal in a 1994-1996 swindling case. The Tokyo High Court last Dec. 20 ruled that Tomobe swindled 660 million yen, in a conspiracy with relatives, from 35 people in connection with management of a mutual aid society from 1994 to 1996. Tomobe, 72, elected in 1995, will also lose his upper house seat.