Japanese Casino Bribery Scandal Unravels
Five Other Japanese Lawmakers Questioned Over Bribery Scandal
With each passing day comes new details of the Japanese casino bribery scandal. Although lawmaker Tsukasa Akimoto might be at the center of the scandal, it would seem that there are more lawmakers involved.
An adviser to the Chinese gambling operator currently facing investigation has said they were more persons involved apart from Tsukasa Akimoto. The adviser said that the former member of the Liberal Democratic Party was bribed along with five other lawmakers over a casino resort project. The five lawmakers in question have since been called in by authorities for questioning.
Katsunori Nakazato, the adviser in question, said he gave the five lawmakers around ¥1 million ($9300) in cash in September 2017. He also gave Akimoto ¥3 million ($28,000) in cash. As at the time of the alleged bribery, Akimoto was the deputy minister in charge of handling government policy surrounding the development of casino resorts. The other five were all part of the cross-party group of lawmakers who championed the promotion of international tourism.
Akimoto The Big Eater
Akimoto was by far the biggest benefactor of the alleged bribery. Insiders suggest that he received more than the $28,000 in cash. The company allegedly invited him on an all-expense-paid trip along with his family to Hokkaido. The entire expenses for the trip were around $6500.
Following the new revelation, the Tokyo District Court approved a request by persecutors to extend Akimoto’s detention by an additional ten days. The court is also prolonging the detention of three other suspects. Investigations leading up to the detention show that there were electronic records of bribes offered to Akimoto,
The Chinese company was hoping to use Akimoto’s influence to gain the upper hand in the casino resort project. The company allegedly set up a subsidiary in Tokyo before contacting Akimoto and other lawmakers.
