Japan’s Supreme Court has finalized the conviction of former House of Representatives member Tsukasa Akimoto, marking the end of a high-profile corruption case tied to the integrated resort (IR) initiative. Akimoto, 53, was found guilty of accepting bribes from a Chinese company seeking to establish an IR facility in Japan. His appeal was denied by the court’s First Petty Bench, led by Justice Masaaki Oka, in a decision dated Tuesday.

Akimoto will now serve a four-year prison term and pay a fine of approximately 7.6 million yen, according to Nippon.com. His former policy secretary, Akihiro Toyoshima, 46, also had his appeal rejected. Toyoshima received a suspended sentence of two years in prison, which remains effective for four years.

Details of the Bribery Case

Court records from the Tokyo District Court and Tokyo High Court revealed that Akimoto, then serving as state minister overseeing IR-related policies, worked alongside Toyoshima to accept bribes. Between 2017 and 2018, the duo accepted monetary payments and travel expenses totaling 7.6 million yen from the Chinese company 500.com. At the time, 500.com was vying for an IR license in either Hokkaido or Okinawa but later abandoned its efforts to enter Japan’s market.

The court also uncovered additional misconduct by Akimoto in 2020, while he was on bail. He attempted to bribe two former consultants of 500.com, seeking false testimony in court to support his defense. This misconduct further solidified his conviction.

Broader Implications for Japan’s IR Industry

The case has cast a shadow over Japan’s efforts to introduce integrated resorts, which combine casinos, hotels, and entertainment facilities. Akimoto’s involvement as a deputy minister in charge of IR affairs and his subsequent conviction highlighted vulnerabilities in the regulatory framework during the initial bidding processes.

The rejection of Akimoto’s appeal brings closure to a legal battle that began with his sentencing in September 2021. His actions have served as a cautionary tale for stakeholders in Japan’s IR project, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in the bidding process.

This landmark case has reaffirmed the judiciary’s stance against corruption, potentially influencing the way future IR bids are handled in Japan. Both Hokkaido and Okinawa, which were once in contention for hosting an IR, have since stepped back from pursuing these developments.

With the Supreme Court’s decision, Akimoto’s sentence is now irreversible, bringing an end to a case that has sparked discussions about ethical governance in Japan’s emerging IR sector. As the country continues to explore the potential of integrated resorts, this case underscores the importance of maintaining integrity throughout the process.