Tsukasa Akimoto, one of the ruling party legislators in Japan, has been questioned by local prosecutors over his alleged connection with a Chinese company suspected of unlawfully investing millions in Japan due to its interest in operating an integrated casino resort.
As revealed by people familiar with the matter, Mr. Akimoto has been questioned voluntarily by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office’s special investigation unit. At an earlier stage of the investigation, on December 7th and 8th, prosecutors raided the homes of two former assistants of his in connection with the case.
Mr. Akimoto served at the position of state minister at the Cabinet Office in the period from August 2017 until the past September. He has also been responsible for operations associated with so-called integrated resorts that have paved the way to casino gambling in the country. In a recent interview with local media outlets, the member of the local legislature had rejected any wrongdoings and has now been interrogated by the prosecutors.
In July 2017, the Chinese online gambling and sports lottery operator that has been allegedly seeking to expand its presence by setting foot in Japan through the operation of an integrated casino resort established a Japan-based subsidiary. In August 2017, it revealed some plans for future investment in the Okinawa prefecture, saying that it was willing to open an integrated casino resort.
Chinese Gambling Company Willing to Invest in Recently-Legalized Integrated Casino Resorts in Japan
According to allegations, the Japanese unit of the Chinese gambling company has brought in several million yen in cash in the country without any prior notice. Under the existing foreign exchange law, customs authorities need to be informed in case cash exceeding ¥1 million is brought in Japan. Those who violate the law could face a monetary fine of up to ¥500,000 or could be jailed for a maximum of six months.
Reportedly, the Chinese gambling operator has also approached the Rusutsu Municipal Government of the Hokkaido prefecture and offered it to establish an integrated resort there. However, in 2018, the local government decided to make Tomakomai the only candidate site for an IR in the prefecture.
The 48-year-old Akimoto is one of the leading proponents of casino resorts that have been recently made legal on the territory of Japan. In August 2017, he gave a speech at a symposium regarding integrated casino resorts in the prefecture of Okinawa.
Apart from him and two of his former assistants, sources close to the matter have also questioned some senior officials of Hokkaido-based village of Rusutsu, which has previously been one of the candidate sites for becoming home to a casino resort. The sources have further revealed that documents associated with the integrated casino resort project have been handed to prosecutors by the governments of Rusutsu and Hokkaido.
