Japan's controversial fund manager indicted

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2006

TOKYO (AFP) — High-profile Japanese fund manager Yoshiaki Murakami has been indicted on charges of insider trading in a scandal that has embroiled the country's central bank chief, a court official said.

Murakami, 46 and in custody since June 5, apologized as he faced the latest turn of fortunes for a business leader formerly seen as a symbol of a new, more aggressive Japanese corporate model.

"I caused great trouble in various circles," Murakami said in a message released by his lawyer to Japanese media. "I apologize from the bottom of my heart."

Murakami has admitted to an illegal stock transaction based on insider information but insisted it was an unintended mistake.

He is suspected of buying shares in Nippon Broadcasting System in late 2004 and...