Ex-Fuji TV executive admits to online casino gambling in Tokyo trial

Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, Japan

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A former Fuji Television Network manager has admitted to habitual gambling on online casinos during his first hearing at the Tokyo District Court on September 16.

Yoshitaka Suzuki, 44, previously a planning manager in the network’s variety show department, told the court he was addicted to gambling and used online casinos to pay off debts. He added that, “It turned out that I was gambling to pay off debts, and in the end, it became unbearable.”

Prosecutors said Suzuki used online casinos 145 times between September 2024 and May 2025, wagering about JPY600 million (US$0)1 JPY = 0.0000 USD
2025-09-19Powered by CMG CurrenShift. He borrowed up to JPY30 million (US$0)1 JPY = 0.0000 USD
2025-09-19Powered by CMG CurrenShift from consumer lenders, friends, and a celebrity and physician who testified that he loaned Suzuki JPY8 million (US$0)1 JPY = 0.0000 USD
2025-09-19Powered by CMG CurrenShift in two installments.

Prosecutors have sought a one-year prison sentence, while his defense requested a suspended sentence. The verdict is scheduled for September 25.

Suzuki admitted he did not initially realize online casino play was illegal and described feeling “empty” after losses. He told the court he later sought medical help for gambling addiction.

Fuji TV faced another gambling scandal in July when a 27-year-old male announcer was fined JPY100,000 (US$0)1 JPY = 0.0000 USD
2025-09-19Powered by CMG CurrenShift for online casino use. During the court proceedings held earlier, it was revealed that Suzuki had advised this male announcer that it was safe to play online gambling.