Mr. Kozaka had been actively involved in issues such as the welfare of the handicapped and sexual assault. (image from his website) There was a big commotion within the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan when it was discovered that he had used his tax-funded political activity expenses to pay off his own debts. A source within the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) said. Mr. Kozaka turned himself in to the Ikebukuro police station in mid-April and was questioned by the police. We don’t know for what reason he was in debt, but this is an embezzlement of taxpayers’ money. Despite this, it seems that Kozaka had no intention of quitting at first. Because of the magnitude of the situation, some members of the party had urged him to resign, hold a press conference, and disclose the incident. In late April, a member of the lower house of the party threatened a lawmaker who was actively trying to publicize the issue, saying, “If you pursue this issue any further, we will not recognize you in the next election.”   Since the incident came to light at the end of March, there has been a dispute within the Rikken Democrats over whether Kozaka would resign and whether he would make the matter public. It was scheduled for May 23 to discuss Kozaka’s future at a meeting with the chairman of the ward assembly and others. However, Mr. Kozaka did not show up for the meeting that day, and it was learned that he had passed away. When we requested an interview with the DPJ, they responded that the Tokyo Metropolitan Federation would handle the matter, but we did not receive a response by the deadline (we will add the response when we receive it). As for Mr. Kozaka’s death, we would just like to pray for his repose. However, shouldn’t the DPJ provide a proper explanation for this alleged embezzlement?