• 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

Lawmaker admits receiving cash in Japan casino scandal

Jan 07, 2020 Newsdesk Japan, Latest News, Top of the deck  


Lawmaker admits receiving cash in Japan casino scandal

Japanese lawmaker Mikio Shimoji admitted on Monday that his office had accepted and not declared to the authorities JPY1 million (US$9,227) – for campaigning in the country’s 2017 general election – from a Chinese online gambling operator linked to an alleged bribery scandal tied to lobbying for a casino licence in that country.

Kyodo news agency reported that Mr Shimoji – in a press conference on Monday – said he would consider whether to resign from the Japan Innovation Party. The party’s leader, Ichiro Matsui, said Mr Shimoji should step down as a lawmaker, according to the media outlet.

Mr Shimoji was one of five House of Representatives members that had been questioned by Japanese authorities – on a voluntary basis – for their alleged receipt of cash. He had previously denied having received money from the Chinese firm.

The allegations against the five lawmakers reportedly came to light as part of an investigation into another lower house lawmaker Tsukasa Akimoto, who was arrested in late December for allegedly taking bribes from Chinese firm 500.com Ltd in connection with lobbying linked to a so-called integrated resort or “IR” scheme in Hokkaido.

Local media had earlier reported that the five lawmakers including Mr Shimoji were alleged to have received around JPY1 million each. The other lawmakers, including Japan’s former Defence Minister, Takeshi Iwaya, have denied the allegations.

The Chinese firm 500.com issued on December 31 a press release stating it had set up an investigative committee to probe “alleged illegal money transfers” and the role played by some of the firm’s current and former consultants. Masahiko Konno and Katsunori Nakazato, described as advisors in Japan to 500.com, are said by Japanese media to have been cooperating with prosecutors there.

In Monday’s news conference, Mr Shimoji admitted that an employee at his office in Naha city, the capital of Okinawa prefecture, accepted an envelope with JPY1 million in October 2017, from Mr Konno. He said the money was not declared in campaign or political funds and expenditure reports. “It is something that I extremely regret,” Kyodo quoted Mr Shimoji as saying.

According to the news outlet, the lawmaker said additionally that he had never tried to persuade any government agency to favour the Chinese company. He said also that he would return the money to Mr Konno, added Kyodo.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Osaka earmarks US$4.5mln for IR effort in fiscal year 2023
    Osaka earmarks US$4.5mln for IR effort...

    Feb 17, 2023  

  • Air Macau upping overseas flight connections from March
    Air Macau upping overseas flight...

    Feb 16, 2023  

More news
  • APE narrows annual loss as revenue up 38pct
    APE narrows annual loss as revenue up...

    Mar 28, 2023  

  • Foreigners can use HK-Macau free ticket says tourism boss
    Foreigners can use HK-Macau free ticket...

    Mar 27, 2023  


Latest News

APE narrows annual loss as revenue up 38pct

APE narrows annual loss as revenue up 38pct

Mar 28, 2023  

Hong Kong-listed Asia Pioneer Entertainment Holdings Ltd (APE) reported revenue of just above HKD10.5 million (US$1.3 million) for full-year 2022, up 37.7 percent from the prior year. The firm...
Read More
Foreigners can use HK-Macau free ticket says tourism boss

Foreigners can use HK-Macau free ticket says tourism boss

Mar 27, 2023  

Raffles hotel checks complete at Galaxy Phase 3: MGTO

Raffles hotel checks complete at Galaxy Phase 3: MGTO

Mar 27, 2023  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

”The data and evidence on hand all point to the same conclusion: enough is enough. It is time to ban offshore gaming operations in the Philippines, once and for all”

Sherwin Gatchalian

Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means of the Senate of the Philippines



Most Popular

  • Melco’s Studio City has foreigner-only bet zone: checksMelco’s Studio City has foreigner-only bet zone: checks March 27, 2023
  • Raffles hotel checks complete at Galaxy Phase 3: MGTORaffles hotel checks complete at Galaxy Phase 3: MGTO March 27, 2023
  • Macau diversification into non-gaming to remain slow: FitchMacau diversification into non-gaming to remain slow: Fitch March 24, 2023
  • Philippine lawmaker wants POGOs shut within 3 monthsPhilippine lawmaker wants POGOs shut within 3 months March 27, 2023
  • Foreigners can use HK-Macau free ticket says tourism bossForeigners can use HK-Macau free ticket says tourism boss March 27, 2023
Copyright 2014-2023 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us