• 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
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Japan lawmaker jailed for taking bribes over Hokkaido IR

Sep 07, 2021 Newsdesk Japan, Latest News, Top of the deck  


Japan lawmaker jailed for taking bribes over Hokkaido IR

Japanese lawmaker Tsukasa Akimoto has been given a prison sentence after being found guilty of receiving bribes over a previously-proposed casino scheme in Hokkaido prefecture in the north of the country.

The Tokyo District Court sentenced Mr Akimoto (seen in a file image), a member of the lower house in Japan’s parliament, to four years in prison, without suspension, and a fine of JPY7.5 million (US$68,300) according to Tuesday’s ruling, which was reported by Japanese media.

Japan’s public prosecution had asked for the lawmaker to be slapped with a five-year prison term.

Mr Akimoto was found guilty of receiving bribes worth JPY7.5 million, from Masahiko Konno and Katsunori Nakazato, described as advisors for Chinese firm 500.com Ltd. The latter was one of a number of companies interested in bidding for a licence for 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 Japan in a first phase of liberalisation. Mr Akimoto had reportedly served as a vice-minister in charge of promoting the establishment of casinos in the country.

In October 2020, the Tokyo District Court found Mr Konno and Mr Nakazato guilty of bribing Mr Akimoto, and sentenced them to suspended prison sentences.

The judge in that process, Toshihiko Niwa said the pair were given information relevant to the casino liberalisation process, “as a result of extravagant wining and dining” of Mr Akimoto, a former member of Japan’s governing Liberal Democratic Party.

The governor of Hokkaido decided in November 2019 – prior to news breaking regarding the bribery allegations – not to propose the prefecture as a candidate site in an initial phase of casino liberalisation in the country.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Japan casino commission US$27mln budget for 2023
    Japan casino commission US$27mln budget...

    Dec 27, 2022  

  • Japan govt may nod Osaka IR plan within January: MP
    Japan govt may nod Osaka IR plan within...

    Dec 23, 2022  

More news
  • Macau CNY mass GGR maybe 60pct plus of CNY 2019: JPM
    Macau CNY mass GGR maybe 60pct plus of...

    Jan 31, 2023  

  • Pagcor 2022 income up 66pct y-o-y, tops US$1bln
    Pagcor 2022 income up 66pct y-o-y, tops...

    Jan 31, 2023  


Latest News

Macau CNY mass GGR maybe 60pct plus of CNY 2019: JPM

Macau CNY mass GGR maybe 60pct plus of CNY 2019: JPM

Jan 31, 2023  

Macau mass-market casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the recent Chinese New Year (CNY) holidays could have recovered to at least 60 percent of that for the 2019 break, when the festivities were in...
Read More
Pagcor 2022 income up 66pct y-o-y, tops US$1bln

Pagcor 2022 income up 66pct y-o-y, tops US$1bln

Jan 31, 2023  

Junket boss Levo Chan heard okaying illicit bets: court

Junket boss Levo Chan heard okaying illicit bets: court

Jan 30, 2023  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day


US$1.08 billion

Total income for 2022 reported by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp



Most Popular

  • Available Macau casino tables busy at tail of CNY holsAvailable Macau casino tables busy at tail of CNY hols January 27, 2023
  • Almost half million visitors to Macau for 7 days of CNY holsAlmost half million visitors to Macau for 7 days of CNY hols January 30, 2023
  • Macau visitor momentum kept for post CNY weekendMacau visitor momentum kept for post CNY weekend January 30, 2023
  • Junket boss Levo Chan heard okaying illicit bets: courtJunket boss Levo Chan heard okaying illicit bets: court January 30, 2023
Copyright 2014-2023 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us