Hiromu Kurokawa who resigned as country’s top prosecutor has been found guilty of gambling by an inquest panel formed seven months after his resigning. The panel said that the 63-year old prosecuted for gambling charges.
Curious Kurokawa case
In late May, a Japanese news magazine Shukan Bunshun published a report that Hiromu Kurokawa who was the second-highest ranking prosecutor in the country at that time played mahjong for money. At that time, the country was following social distancing measures in response to the pandemic. The report forced Kurokawa to step down from his position.
In Japan gambling is a banned sport with the only exception of racing and lotteries. Played with domino-like tiles, mahjong is played like gin rummy and it requires a set of players. The report stated that Hiromu Kurokawa played mahjong four times in April and May when the country was in a state of health emergency.
Committee for the Inquest of Prosecutions
The committee can be compared to a grand jury in the American justice system. Earlier the prosecutors let Kurokawa free from the charges in July but after the inquest committee found him of guilty of gambling, the office of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor said that they took the decision seriously and that they would conduct necessary investigations and took appropriate measures after examining the charges.
But the statement from the public prosecutor isn’t a guarantee that the case will be pursued. The authorities can again let Kurokawa free from the charges but a second review of the inquest committee can force the authorities to take appropriate action in Kurokawa case.
Casino coming in Tokyo
Meanwhile the Japanese government is mulling over expanding gaming in the country. It is learnt that Tokyo could get one of the three integrated resorts planned under the expansion of the gaming industry. Other cities bidding for casino resorts include Osaka, Yokohama, Wakayama, and Nagasaki.
Tokyo being the largest metropolis in the country could attract big casino companies to Japan. The move to involve Tokyo in the race is expected to bring Las Vegas Sands Corp. back into picture. Some companies had pulled out of the race for Japanese casino license previously.
Casino companies interested in Japanese license are asked to quick with their proposals. The proposals can be sent till April 28, 2022 and a decision on the same will be taken after considering all the necessary factors.
Source:https://www.casino.org/news/japanese-inquest-panel-urges-authorities-to-reconsider-filing-gambling-charges-against-former-prosecutor/
