Money that would have been used in bribes to Japanese lawmakers came from Hong Kong

On September 28, 2017, Masahiko Konno, an advisor to Chinese gambling company 500.com, pulled 22.5 million yen ($207,000) from a bank account in Hong Kong and then flew to Japan with the money.

Konno landed at Kansai International Airport and did not declare the millionaire sum, in violation of the law, according to the Tokyo Prosecutor's Office, Kyodo reveals.

On the same day, Konno would have visited the office of lawmaker Tsukasa Akimoto in the company of Katsunori Nakazato, another Japanese who served as an adviser to 500.com, to hand him 3 million yen (about $27,000) in cash.

Akimoto was arrested late last year on suspicion of receiving bribes from the Chinese firm in exchange for favors to venture into the casino business.

For his part, Nakazato claimed to have handed over five million yen (approximately 46 thousand dollars) to five other legislators (one million each) at the same time Akimoto received the money.

All that money would be part of the sum Konno illegally introduced to Japan from Hong Kong. The Tokyo District Attorney's Office is tracking the money.

The law on the control of political funds prohibits donations from foreign persons or organizations.

All lawmakers, except Mikio Shimoji, deny receiving money from the Chinese company. (International Press)