Japanese Politician Sentenced to Prison for Casino Bribe Case

This week Japanese politician Tsukasa Akimoto was sentenced to a four-year prison term and a huge 7.6 million yen fine for accepting a bribe from a Chinese company that was looking to build a casino in the country.

Akimoto was found guilty of accepting bribes from the Chinese company, and he was also found guilty of offering money to advisers to betting group 500.com in exchange for positive testimony in the court.

Usually, Japanese politicians found guilty of corruption or other crimes are usually given a suspended prison sentence, but Akimoto was sentenced to a straight prison term. This is largely due to the defendant having tried to get the false testimony, of which the judge said was an "unprecedented obstruction of justice."

Akimoto was charged in 2019 for the crimes, after which time he left the Liberal Democratic Party, although he retained his title of lawmaker.

Japan is in the process of accepting bids to open land casinos in the country after legalizing the activity. Currently, there are plans to open a resort in Nagasaki, while Tokyo also remains a distinct possibility.