Kishida's 2 ex-cabinet members to avoid indictment over slush funds

TOKYO -- Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno and former trade and economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura are likely to escape indictment over a political funds scandal after Tokyo prosecutors did not find enough evidence to prove criminal conspiracy.

Matsuno and Nishimura, who served under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, are among seven senior members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's largest faction who will likely avoid criminal charges. Criminal complaints had been filed against them, prompting an investigation by prosecutors.