Tokyo - Japanese prosecutors on Tuesday raided an office of a political group that manages funds for Ichiro Ozawa, president of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan on suspicion of having received illegal donations from a construction company, media reports said.

The group, Rikuzankai, located in central Tokyo, allegedly received corporate donations from a former official of Nishimatsu Construction Co, according to a NHK television report.

A former president of Nishimatsu was indicted last month on suspicion of violating the foreign exchange and foreign trade law.

He allegedly ordered his subordinates to bring in the money from overseas without officially reporting it to the authorities.

The company has also been suspected of bribing Thai government officials earlier this year in return for favourable treatment when a tunnel project designed to ease flooding in Bangkok was to be awarded. (dpa)