{
  "id": 727783,
  "title": "Prosecutor's classified files shed light on high-profile Lockheed scandal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/prosecutors-classified-files-shed-light-on-high-profile-lockheed",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-13T03:53:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260813/p2g/00m/0na/016000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Documents compiled by Chief Prosecutor Yusuke Yoshinaga 50 years ago in the high-profile Lockheed bribery scandal in Japan provide insight into how money flowed to politicians, according to a prosecutor's files unveiled Thursday. The classified files, stamped \"top secret,\" detail the flow of money from Lockheed Corp. to Japanese officials, involving former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka and All Nippon Airways Co. The documents, stamped with a creation date of \"51/9/7,\" include testimony from Noboru Takeshita, Tanaka's close aide, who was arrested for receiving 500 million yen from Lockheed. Despite his claims of innocence, Tanaka was convicted in his first and second trials and died while appealing his sentence in 1993. The prosecutor's files also revealed politician Noboru Wakasa's admission of paying 1 million yen to Takeshita as \"slush funds\" for election expenses. The files further detail allegations of political interference, including an attempt to block Japan Airlines from introducing jumbo jets on domestic routes through a senior transport ministry official. If made public, the documents could have significantly impacted the Liberal Democratic Party and altered Japanese politics.",
  "summary": "TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Documents left by the late chief prosecutor in the high-profile Lockheed bribery scandal 50 years ago revealed Thursday statements ma",
  "key_points": [
    "Classified files from 1951 reveal Lockheed bribery scandal details",
    "Former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka convicted in two trials",
    "Politician Noboru Wakasa admits paying 'slush funds' to aide"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The revelation of the classified files underscores the deep-seated influence of the Lockheed scandal on Japanese politics, highlighting the extensive web of money and influence that ensnared top politicians and officials.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}