In recent casino news from Japan, the nation's Supreme Court has confirmed a four-year prison sentence for a former legislator who was found guilty of receiving bribes related to the distribution of integrated resort (IR) licenses. In related news, the National Diet of Japan has sanctioned the candidates for the upcoming casino commission in the nation. 

Japanese news agencies are reporting that the Supreme Court of Japan has denied a request from Tsukasa Akimoto, a former legislator in the central government's House of Representatives, to lessen his prison term this week. In 2019, the Tokyo Public Prosecutor’s Office effectively pursued legal action against a former politician from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for unlawfully receiving gifts amounting to $34,000 from a Chinese online gaming company. 

Akimoto was found guilty of receiving money, travel expenses, and lodging in 2017 and 2018 from 500.com, a company that supports online lottery and sports betting in China. The organization is one of two firms authorized by China's Ministry of Finance to offer online gaming services on the mainland. 

Last month, the US federal government indicted 500.com on charges that the firm, now known as Bit Mining Ltd., was involved in bribing foreign officials in Japan. The US Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey states that 500.com “instructed consultants to offer bribes to Japanese officials in order to secure a contract for establishing a major resort in Japan.” 

Failed Initiative 

500.com was involved in a group aiming to obtain an IR license in Japan for a casino project in Hokkaido or Okinawa. 

Japan’s gradual progression in developing gaming regulations and managing a competitive bidding process led to the withdrawal of most bids, including that of 500.com. Though Japan's 2018 IR legislation permitted the establishment of three casinos, over six years later, only one license has been granted. 

MGM Resorts International and the Japanese financial services group Orix Corporation have teamed up for a project exceeding $8 billion on Yumeshima Island in Osaka. MGM Osaka is set to launch in late 2030. 

The Japanese Supreme Court confirmed the Tokyo High Court's 2021 ruling to sentence Akimoto to four years of imprisonment and impose a fine of JPY7.6 million (US$48,284). 

Commission Established 

In additional news regarding Japanese casinos, the National Diet approved on Tuesday the subsequent formation of the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission. The five-member committee serves as an external agency of the Cabinet and is tasked with upholding order and ensuring safety in relation to the creation and functioning of casino establishments. 

Japan's parliament confirmed Takafumi Sato, a prosecutor from Takamatsu, as the upcoming head of the regulatory agency. He will take over from Michio Kitamura starting January 7, 2025. 

Junichi Kakimizu, a past chief of the National Tax College affiliated with the National Tax Agency, will join the Casino Regulatory Commission next month to take over for Hiroyuki Ujikane, who began his five-year term in January 2020. 

Commissioners Hirofumi Kitamura and Keiko Ishikawa will stay, as their terms are just halfway through. Commissioner Watari Michiko is poised for reappointment and a new five-year term on the Casino Regulatory Commission.