• 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

More politicians deny bribes re Japan casino graft claims

Jan 06, 2020 Newsdesk Japan, Latest News, Top of the deck  


More politicians deny bribes re Japan casino graft claims

Several Japanese politicians have come forward to deny to the country’s media that they took bribes in connection with some lobbyists’ alleged efforts to get a casino resort in either Hokkaido prefecture or Okinawa prefecture.

Japanese news reports on Friday – citing “investigative” sources that were not directly identified – had indicated five House of Representatives members had been questioned by Japanese authorities – on a voluntary basis – for their alleged receipt of cash.

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.

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. The company also announced that its chairman had stepped down.

The company said additionally that its board had accepted a request from the firm’s director and chief executive to “temporarily step aside from his positions” until the conclusion of the internal probe “in order to ensure a thorough and fair investigation”.

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.

On Friday Japanese media reported that Tokyo District Court had approved a request to extend until January 14 the maximum detention period for Mr Akimoto and three people linked to 500.com who were also arrested on December 25 for allegedly providing him with bribe money.

In late November Hokkaido’s governor said the prefecture would not put itself forward – in the current phase of liberalisation – as a candidate to host a casino resort. In late September, an anti-casino politician was elected to the governorship of Japan’s southernmost prefecture Okinawa, seemingly ruling the prefecture out of the national race to be a host location for a casino resort.

On Saturday, Hiroyuki Nakamura, one of the five House of Representatives lawmakers voluntarily questioned in relation to the investigation, denied any wrongdoing.

“I accepted a legitimate political donation and included the money in a political funds report,” Mr Nakamura said, as quoted by the Jiji Press news agency.

Mr Nakamura, described as a former parliamentary vice minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, said he accepted JPY2 million (US$18,500) from a Sapporo-based tourism company in September 2017. The company was planning to operate a casino-featuring integrated resort business in the Hokkaido village of Rusutsu.

Also on Saturday, Takeshi Iwaya, a former defence minister of Japan, denied receiving any money in relation to alleged bribery over casino lobbying.

“I absolutely deny it,” said Mr Iwaya, a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said in a press conference that day, according to local media reports.

“From the perspective of laws regulating political funds as well, it’s impossible that I received donations from a foreign firm,” the media reports quoted him as saying.

Local media had earlier reported that five lawmakers including Mr Iwaya were alleged to have received around JPY1 million each.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Hokkaido pref assembly LDP members push for IR review
    Hokkaido pref assembly LDP members push...

    Nov 29, 2023  

  • LET Group says deal to sell Hokkaido land terminated
    LET Group says deal to sell Hokkaido...

    Nov 01, 2023  

More news
  • Welcome mat, pricey hotels drag Macau MICE: sector
    Welcome mat, pricey hotels drag Macau...

    Dec 01, 2023  

  • Kangwon Land Inc CEO Lee Sam-Geol resigns: reports
    Kangwon Land Inc CEO Lee Sam-Geol...

    Dec 01, 2023  


Latest News

Welcome mat, pricey hotels drag Macau MICE: sector

Welcome mat, pricey hotels drag Macau MICE: sector

Dec 01, 2023  

Fresh event space in casino resorts is welcomed by Macau’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector, but visitors’ reception on arrival in the city, high hotel prices, and...
Read More
Kangwon Land Inc CEO Lee Sam-Geol resigns: reports

Kangwon Land Inc CEO Lee Sam-Geol resigns: reports

Dec 01, 2023  

Paradise Co Nov casino rev top US$43mln, down sequentially

Paradise Co Nov casino rev top US$43mln, down sequentially

Dec 01, 2023  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

”We committed to the government to provide a full business idea and plan for Phase 1b around 12 months after the casino opens, therefore, probably early 2025”

Chen Si

President of the Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort in South Korea



Most Popular

  • Macau November GGR down 18pct on October: govtMacau November GGR down 18pct on October: govt December 1, 2023
  • Welcome mat, pricey hotels drag Macau MICE: sectorWelcome mat, pricey hotels drag Macau MICE: sector December 1, 2023
  • Mohegan Inspire still eyes 1Q24 casino debut: presidentMohegan Inspire still eyes 1Q24 casino debut: president December 1, 2023
  • Kangwon Land Inc CEO Lee Sam-Geol resigns: reportsKangwon Land Inc CEO Lee Sam-Geol resigns: reports December 1, 2023
  • Inspire Arena leads Mohegan debut in Asia gaming resort bizInspire Arena leads Mohegan debut in Asia gaming resort biz November 30, 2023
Copyright 2014-2023 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us