A Japanese lawmaker at the center of a casino bribery scheme personally enquired with Japan’s transport ministry over a plan for the development of an integrated casino resort with an airport in Hokkaido on behalf of the company he allegedly took a bribe from, according to sources.
Tsukasa Akimoto, a former member of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party who served in the lower house of the country’s government, was arrested on December 25 over allegations that he received JPY3.7 million in bribes from Chinese online lottery sports operator 500.com. The company allegedly asked the lawmaker to spearhead its bid to participate in an integrated resort scheme in Hokkaido.
According to sources, Mr. Akimoto asked Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism about permissions for the addition of an airport for private jets at a planned casino resort in the village of Rusutsu, Hokkaido.
As reported by Casino News Daily, Mr. Akimoto allegedly received JPY3 million in cash from 500.com and was treated to a family trip to Hokkaido, the expenses for which – JPY700,000 – were covered by the Chinese gambling operator.
Sources claim that during his trip and stay at a Hokkaido resort in February, he had discussions with executives from 500.com and the resort’s operator and was presented with the operator’s plans to build a 2,000-meter runway for private jets as part of a larger resort scheme.
Mr. Akimoto Apparently Admitted to Making Enquiries
The resort’s operator allegedly asked Mr. Akimoto to brief the Transport Ministry’s department in charge of airport construction about the plan. According to sources, the lawmaker himself made enquiries with the ministry regarding a project of this kind’s feasibility.
Mr. Akimoto served as a senior vice minister in the Cabinet at the time and was in charge of overseeing the creation of a policy aimed at setting out the principles under which integrated resorts with dedicated casino facilities would be introduced in Japan. However, his portfolio included air travel matters, as well.
Sources say that Mr. Akimoto admitted to making enquiries about the airport plan with the competent ministry when questioned by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office. However, the lawmaker apparently told investigators that he did not go any further with his enquiries as the ministry informed him that an airport would be difficult to be approved.
On Friday, the Tokyo District Court decided to prolong Mr. Akimoto’s detention through January 14. Since arrested, the lawmaker has maintained his innocence and has told investigators that he not done anything wrong.
Mr. Akimoto, who has been a staunch supporter of the legalization of casino gambling in the country, left the Liberal Democratic Party after he was arrested in late December.
Three more individuals will remain under arrest in relation with their involvement in the bribery scheme. All three are employed at 500.com and are believed to have handed Mr. Akimoto bribe money.
Source: Japan lawmaker in casino scandal personally asked ministry about resort airport: reports
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