Former Mayor Oji was sent to the public prosecutor's office on suspicion of trespassing into a building; he went to the assemblyman's office a total of 22 times.

On the 25th, Aichi Prefectural Police sent Yasutomo Suzuki, 42, the former mayor of Oji Town, Aichi Prefecture, to the prosecutor's office on suspicion of breaking into a building, for repeatedly breaking into the office of a former member of the House of Representatives where he once worked as a secretary. Prefectural police have not confirmed whether or not the suspect was admitted. It is said that they have issued an opinion calling for ``severe punishment'' and that he be prosecuted.

According to prefectural police, the suspect was accused of breaking into the office of Mitsuhiro Okamoto (55), a former member of the House of Representatives, in Inazawa City, Aichi Prefecture, on 22 occasions between April 16 and July 20 last year.

Suzuki was Okamoto's private secretary until he retired on April 15 last year. It is said that they mainly invaded after dusk, and sometimes in the early morning hours. Prefectural police believe that Suzuki was preparing for last July's Oji mayoral election, in which he was planning to run.

Mr. Suzuki was elected for the first time as mayor, defeating the incumbent at the time. After this issue came to light, he admitted that he had entered the town's office and resigned as mayor in August of this year. ``It was my understanding that he had entered the room with permission,'' he explained to the town council.

Regarding Mr. Okamoto's complaint that the fuel card and copy machine at his office had been used without permission, prefectural police decided not to press charges, saying they did not have enough evidence.