Regarding offshore wind power generation, which the government is aiming to expand to realize decarbonization, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors' Special Investigation Department voluntarily interviewed the president of the wind power generation company on a voluntary basis for the situation of the wind power generation company, alleging that it was suspected that the Tokyo wind power company had provided a large amount of funds to Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs and member of the House of Representatives of the Liberal Democratic Party, Masatoshi Akimoto.
The Special Investigation Department is expected to clarify the actual situation of the opaque flow of funds.
According to those involved, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors' Special Investigation Department voluntarily asked about the situation was the president of Japan Wind Power Development, a wind power company headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, who is suspected of providing a large amount of funds to Liberal Democratic Party member Masatoshi Akimoto of the House of Representatives regarding offshore wind power generation, which the government is aiming to expand its introduction.
"Japan Wind Power Development" was aiming to enter an offshore wind power project that the government had been bidding for three years ago, but it was unable to win the bid.
Akimoto asked a question about this bid in the Diet in February last year and asked for a review of the evaluation criteria for bidding from the next public call for projects.
Mr. Akimoto served as Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism from August 3 to October of the following year, where he was involved in drafting a bill for the Act on the Use of Sea Areas for Renewable Energy to promote the introduction of offshore wind power generation, and since August last year he has served as Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The Special Investigation Department is expected to voluntarily hear from the president of Japan Wind Power Development Co., Ltd. and clarify the actual situation regarding the relationship with Akimoto and the opaque flow of funds.
In an interview with NHK, Wind Power Development commented, Japan We have never paid bribes to members of the Diet or other public officials, and there is some objective evidence that can prove this point."
In addition, Mr. Akimoto returned from an overseas visit on the evening of March 2, but did not respond to questions from the press.