Supplier Aruze Gaming is looking to “set the record straight” in defence of Kazuo Okada, the company’s founder, who was recently arrested in Hong Kong.
Outlining that the concept of an arrest is different in Hong Kong, the letter looks to protect the reputation of Okada and highlight what Aruze believes to be a smear campaign against him and his loved ones.
Okada is described in the letter as the “visionary founder of Aruze,” a company which he created along with several other gaming firms, including Universal Entertainment Corporation (UEC).
The letter looks to “have the truth be known,” by clarifying the narrative surrounding Okada’s detention, highlighting the fact that “no charges” were actually filed against him, again alluding to the different nature of arrests in Hong Kong.
Instead, the letter suggests Okada and his family “are the victims” of “false and malicious allegations made by Universal Entertainment Corporation (“UEC”) and its senior executives.”
Drawing attention to the speed of which UEC released a letter responding to the arrest of its former Chairman, Aruze claims the allegations against Okada are “spurious” attempts to “discredit” him.
Tensions between Aruze and UEC have been ongoing since Okada was ousted from the Universal Board in June 2017, after the company launched an internal investigative panel regarding his use of company money.
Okada has also avoided charges brought against him before, such as fraud and perjury charges brought against him in the Philippines.
