TOKYO - A Tokyo prosecutor who played a leading role in a major political funds investigation has been dismissed for having a sexual relationship with a female suspect before her criminal case was resolved and accepting electronic money from her. The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office announced on July 29 that Masahito Nishida, 48, had been removed from his post through disciplinary dismissal. According to the prosecutors office, Nishida entered into a sexual relationship with the woman before a final decision had been made on whether she would face criminal punishment. Hiroshi Ichikawa, deputy chief prosecutor at the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, said Nishida had accepted a gift from an interested party and undermined public trust in the duties of prosecutors. As a measure to prevent a recurrence, the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office issued a notice on July 29 to district public prosecutors offices nationwide prohibiting prosecutors from making private contact with people connected to cases.