In a case of government collusion over bids for construction work ordered by Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, a former ward assembly member was re-arrested on suspicion of bribery by the Metropolitan Police Department for allegedly receiving gift certificates from contractors in return for leaking bid information. Interviews with people involved in the investigation revealed that they have decided to do so.
Defendant Hidehiko Shimazaki (64), who was a member of the Chiyoda Ward assembly, was involved in bidding for the renovation work of a municipal elementary school and kindergarten that took place four years ago in May 2020. He was arrested and charged with violating the Government Collusion Prevention Act for informing two businesses.
A JV/consortium including these two companies won the bid, and the Metropolitan Police Department was investigating whether there was anything in return from the companies.
According to people involved in the investigation, between June and September 2020, former lawmaker Shimazaki received 100,000 yen worth of gift certificates from two businesses, 60,000 yen worth of food and drinks at a Japanese restaurant, and 100,000 yen worth of food and drinks at his home. It has been revealed that the company is suspected of having to pay approximately 160,000 yen for renovation work.
The Metropolitan Police Department plans to re-arrest the former lawmaker on suspicion of bribery on the 9th.
There is a three-year statute of limitations for bribery charges on the part of business operators.
The former lawmaker was indicted for leaking bid information on three other construction projects that took place in the same year, and the Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the details of the incident, believing that fraud had become commonplace.