Kamori sought to bribe Japan House of Representatives member Tsukasa Akimoto by paying for his travel expenses to Hokkaido between September 2017 and February 2018 in order to convince Akimoto to support him in a bid for an integrated resort (IR). The company was planning to invest in an IR in Hokkaido or Okinawa. 

Kamori’s company had previously come up with an outline for Hokkaido IR, including casino and entertainment facilities, schools, healthcare centres, commercial, retail precincts and even multi-family homes. 

Kamori admitted he enthusiastically made an appeal to attract an IR to Rusutsu village, Hokkaido, and was actively involved in the crime. “It was a vicious crime that significantly damaged confidence in IR policy.” 

The defense claims Kamori held a subordinate position in the company and was only following instructions from the 500.com representatives. The defense is also asking to spare the prison sentence and instead subject Kamori to a fine. The date for sentencing is set for September 25.