TOKYO : Trial of a Kingpin

The former Liberal Democratic Party kingpin credited with picking three of Japan’s last four prime ministers goes on trial Thursday on tax evasion charges that could force him to pay $18.3 million in fines.

Shin Kanemaru, 78, and his former secretary, Masahisa Haibara, 49, are accused of evading taxes on a combined $19.2 million in income allegedly concealed between 1987 and 1991.

Kanemaru’s troubles, which began last August when he admitted accepting $4.1 million in illegal political donations, led to the split in the Liberal Democratic Party and ultimately to its historic defeat at the polls Sunday.