• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Features
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Jail terms for men bribing lawmaker over Hokkaido IR tilt

Oct 12, 2020 Newsdesk Japan, Latest News, Top of the deck  


Jail terms for men bribing lawmaker over Hokkaido IR tilt

Two Japanese men have each been given prison sentences after being found guilty of bribing Japanese lawmaker Tsukasa Akimoto with the equivalent of US$72,000 over a previously-proposed casino scheme in Hokkaido prefecture in the north of the country.

The Tokyo District Court (pictured) sentenced Masahiko Konno to two years in prison, suspended for three years; and Katsunori Nakazato to one year and 10 months, also suspended for three years, according to Monday’s ruling, which was reported by Japanese media.

The pair were formerly advisors to Chinese firm 500.com Ltd, which was one of a number of companies interested in bidding for a licence for such a gaming complex scheme in Hokkaido. A total of three casino resorts, referred to in Japan as integrated resorts (IRs), are to be permitted across the nation in a first phase of liberalisation.

The governor of Hokkaido decided in November last year – prior to news breaking regarding the bribery allegations – not to put the prefecture forward as a candidate site in an initial phase of casino liberalisation in the country.

Mr Akimoto was arrested in late December 2019, on allegations he had been bribed in relation to pursuit of such a venture. Mr Akimoto had reportedly served as a vice-minister in charge of promoting the establishment of casinos in that nation.

The court found Mr Konno and Mr Nakazato had given Mr Akimoto, a former member of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, a total of JPY7.6 million (about US$72,000) in bribes between 2017 and 2018, including coverage of travel expenses to China and Hokkaido.

Mr Konno and Mr Nakazato were given information relevant to the casino liberalisation process, “as a result of extravagant wining and dining” of Mr Akimoto, said Judge Toshihiko Niwa, in relation to the ruling, as cited by local media.

The pair had “severely undermined the impartiality of duties and public trust in a large-scale project promoted by the government,” the judge reportedly said.

In September, Mr Akimoto – who was released from custody in February - was indicted on a charge of allegedly offering money to Mr Konno and Mr Nakazato in exchange for false court testimony favourable to him.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Hokkaido governor restates no Japan casino bid
    Hokkaido governor restates no Japan...

    Jan 15, 2021  

  • Kazuo Okada told to pay US$192k damages to Universal Ent
    Kazuo Okada told to pay US$192k damages...

    Feb 20, 2020  

More news
  • Studio City likely to raise funds for liquidity needs: specialist
    Studio City likely to raise funds for...

    Jan 28, 2021  

  • Mohegan teams with Oshidori for Nagasaki casino tilt
    Mohegan teams with Oshidori for...

    Jan 28, 2021  


Latest News

Studio City likely to raise funds for liquidity needs: specialist

Studio City likely to raise funds for liquidity needs: specialist

Jan 28, 2021  

Lucror Analytics, a research company based in Singapore that focuses on high-yield credit, says it foresees Studio City Co Ltd “would have to raise more funds” in 2022, in order to “fulfil...
Read More
Mohegan teams with Oshidori for Nagasaki casino tilt

Mohegan teams with Oshidori for Nagasaki casino tilt

Jan 28, 2021  

LVS expects substantial investment linked to Macau retender

LVS expects substantial investment linked to Macau retender

Jan 28, 2021  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Partners

Pick of the Day

"I believe that when Macau makes a decision, there is going to be a requirement to invest more"

Robert Goldstein

Chairman and chief executive of Las Vegas Sands



Most Popular

  • China said to be expanding blacklist for overseas gamblingChina said to be expanding blacklist for overseas gambling January 27, 2021
  • China diplomats warn nationals not to gamble in CambodiaChina diplomats warn nationals not to gamble in Cambodia January 27, 2021
  • Digital yuan eventually for Macau mass bets mulls BernsteinDigital yuan eventually for Macau mass bets mulls Bernstein January 22, 2021
  • Okada Manila warns against online casino, sale rumoursOkada Manila warns against online casino, sale rumours January 25, 2021
  • Cotai expansion to aid Macau EBITDA to 2019 level: CICCCotai expansion to aid Macau EBITDA to 2019 level: CICC January 26, 2021
Copyright 2014-2020 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us