Japan: date set for trial of politician over 500.com bribe

Tsukasa Akimoto, who says he is innocent, will be tried next month.

Japan.- A date of March 29 has been set for the trial of Japanese politician, Tsukasa Akimoto, who is accused of attempting to bribe two people involved with the Chinese online gaming company 500.com.

Akimoto allegedly bribed a witness and former 500.com advisor with JPY20m in cash, asking them to lie under oath in recent trials over allegations that 500.com had previously bribed Akimoto.

Officials at 500.com were taken to court on accusations of paying Akimoto to gain an advantage in Japan’s IR tender. The two officials were sentenced to prison by the Tokyo District court.

Akimoto’s legal team was said to be working on narrowing down the issues and evidence in the case prior to the announcement that the trial would take place late next month.

The politician has protested his innocence since the accusations were made.