Japan: Akimoto could face five-year prison sentence

Tsukasa Akimoto, who is accused of attempting to bribe two people involved with the Chinese online gaming company 500.com, could face a five-year prison term.

Japan.- Prosecutors want a five-year prison term for Tsukasa Akimoto, who was accused of bribing a witness and former 500.com advisor with JPY20m in cash in relation to accusations that he himself had taken bribes.

Prosecutors also want a JPY7.6m (US$69,000) fine, noting that Akimoto himself started to take bribes shortly after taking office as the state minister in charge of affairs related to integrated resorts. 

Akimoto was accused of having accepted an all-expenses-paid trip for him and his family to Rusutsu Villa, Hokkaido, from the Chinese firm when he has a member of the House of Representatives.

Akimoto was released from jail on February 12 2020, but was arrested again in August 2020 and in September 2020.