Akimoto quits LDP as wind farm bribery case heats up 

Prosecutors on Aug. 5 searched the home of the president of a wind farm developer as part of a bribery investigation, triggering the resignation of a ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker who is also embroiled in the case.

Investigators with the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office searched the home of Masayuki Tsukawaki, 64, in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward. Tsukawaki is president of Japan Wind Development Co.

On Aug. 4, investigators searched the offices of Masatoshi Akimoto, 47. That same day, Akimoto resigned from his post as a parliamentary secretary in the Foreign Ministry and also told senior officials of the LDP that he intended to leave the party.

The party announced on Aug. 5 that it had accepted Akimoto’s request to leave the party.

LDP Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi also issued a statement calling on Akimoto to thoroughly explain his involvement in the matter.

Investigative sources said prosecutors were looking into the connection between Diet questions posed by Akimoto about offshore wind farm projects and around 30 million yen ($210,000) given to Akimoto in installments from 2021.

Tsukawaki’s lawyer met with reporters on Aug. 4 and denied that the money was intended as a bribe.

The lawyer explained that Akimoto and Tsukawaki were fellow thoroughbred owners who set up a group in autumn 2021 called Purple Patch Racing.

Interestingly, while Akimoto holds a 45-percent share in the group, Tsukawaki’s name is not registered as a part owner. His acquaintance held a 45-percent share, while the remaining 10 percent is held by an acquaintance of Akimoto.

Tsukawaki’s lawyer explained that his client transferred about 30 million yen to Purple Patch Racing from about 2021 in response to requests from Akimoto. The money was allegedly intended to pay for the purchase of thoroughbreds as well as feed and stable expenses.

The lawyer said the money was in no way connected to wind farm projects that Japan Wind Development is involved with.

Sources said prosecutors have a different view of the arrangement, however.

Prosecutors noted that most decisions about how money in Purple Patch Racing was used were made by Akimoto. While Tsukawaki transferred money to the group’s account or made payments directly to business associates of Purple Patch Racing, he also on occasion directly handed Akimoto cash.

Prosecutors are also expected to closely look into when Tsukawaki made the payments and Diet questioning by Akimoto. Akimoto is known to have discussed wind farm projects in Diet committee sessions on at least four occasions between November 2018 and February 2022.

Akimoto had served as secretary-general of a group of LDP lawmakers who favor renewable energy.

Officials of Japan Wind Development met with Akimoto on several occasions to discuss issues related to the wind power sector.

Tsukawaki originally worked for the major trading company Mitsui & Co., but has been involved with Japan Wind Development since its establishment in 1999, according to his lawyer.