Japan's ex-vice foreign minister arrested over suspected bribery

Masatoshi Akimoto allegedly received $410,000 from wind power company: prosecutors

TOKYO, Sep 07 (Nikkei) - Tokyo prosecutors arrested lower house member and former parliamentary vice foreign minister Masatoshi Akimoto on Thursday on suspicion of receiving 61 million yen ($410,000) in bribes from a wind power company.

Akimoto allegedly received the money in return for raising questions in parliament at the request of the Tokyo-based company, which was bidding for offshore wind power projects in Aomori Prefecture and other locations.

During a lower house session in February 2019, Akimoto said he hoped no excessive or unnecessary restrictions would be placed on wind power facilities developed in the sea off Aomori.

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