Japanese House of Representatives member Tsukasa Akimoto was rearrested on Thursday under suspicion of violating the Act for Punishment of Organized Crimes.
The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office claims Akimoto gave cash in exchange for providing false testimony in a court case regarding bribes provided by Chinese company 500.com, which was looking to invest in an integrated resort in Japan. This is Akimoto’s third arrest since December.
The 48-year-old has left the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and is currently unaffiliated. He was first arrested in relation to the IR bribery case in December and again in January of this year.
On 4 August, a supporter of Akimoto, Akihito Awaji, was also arrested on suspicion of paying off witnesses by asking a former advisor to 500.com to give false testimony at the hearing.
After Akimoto’s second indictment, he posted bail and had resumed his duties in the House. He held a fundraiser on 30 July and was aiming to rejoin the party.
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