Japan: opposition tables bill to abolish IRs following bribery scandal

Casino bribery scandal in Japan has led to government opposition lawmakers tabling a bill to abolish IR activity in the country

Japan.- Parliament will discuss a bill aimed at abolishing the Integrated Resorts Promotion Acts, which would make IR activities in the country illegal. The casino bribery scandal has hit key government officials, including lawmaker Tsukasa Akimoto, over claims of casino lobbying by Chinese online gaming firm 500.com Ltd.

As a result, opposition parties have agreed to submit the bill on January 20 when the ordinary session of the country’s parliament is scheduled to start, according to local media.

Japan’s governing coalition controls a majority in both houses of Japan’s parliament. The opposition move has little chance of success, according to industry analysts.

Aside from Mr Akimoto, five other House of Representatives members have been questioned by Japanese authorities – on a voluntary basis – for their alleged receipt of cash. One of the lawmakers, Mikio Shimoji, admitted on Monday that his office had accepted and not declared to authorities JPY1 million (US$9,227) from an advisor linked to the Chinese firm.

Despite the scandal, Japan’s national government has vowed to press ahead with the integrated resort-related activities as scheduled, as confirmed on Monday by Yoshihide Suga, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, in a televised brief.