Former Deputy Mayor of Fujioka Found Guilty of Bid-Rigging and Other Charges.

Breaking News "Gunma Prefecture."
By AI from "Isesaki FM."

The Maebashi District Court sentenced former Deputy Mayor Hideo Tsukamoto, 58, to one year and six months in prison, suspended for three years, on charges including violating the Anti-Bid Rigging Act for leaking the minimum bid price for renovation work on an elementary school gymnasium commissioned by Fujioka City. The judge noted that "despite his position as Deputy Mayor, he carelessly committed the crime." However, he took into consideration the social sanctions he received, including turning himself in and returning his retirement benefits. In response to the verdict, Mayor Arai commented, "I deeply apologize for damaging public trust in city government, and will strive to prevent this from happening again."