Two former advisors of China’s 500 .com had admitted to seeking to bribe a Japanese lawmaker in connection with its search for a casino license, according to local media reports.
The trial of the two — Masahiko Konno and Katsunori Nakazato — had its first hearing in the Tokyo District Court on Wednesday.
The advisors are accused of passing 3 million yen ($28,000) to former Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker, Tsukasa Akimoto.
The pair allegedly gave additional bribes totaling 4.6 million yen to Akimoto, including expenses to cover trips to China and the village of Rusutsu in Hokkaido.
The Chinese company had asked the House of Representatives member to increase the number of planned casino resort locations in Japan from three to five and expressed an interest in becoming involved in a casino project in Hokkaido, The Mainichi, cited sources close to the matter as saying.
Akimoto was rearrested last Thursday while out on bail for allegedly offering money to Konno through his supporters to give false testimony.
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Singapore police have busted at least two illegal gambling operations in the past week, while across Asia authorities have moved to stamp out illicit activities, from raids on premier league matches in India, to illegal number forecasting in Malaysia.
The Puducherry union territory government has urged the union government to ban online gaming platforms and mobile apps, describing it as a necessity to protect the mental health of vulnerable people.
Before the Covid-19 crisis, tourism in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region was at a record high, on track to welcome 80 million visitors in 2019, generating some $90 billion in revenue.
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