Japan: former boat racer jailed for match-fixing

A former boat racer has been fined and sentenced to three years in prison for violating Japan’s Motor Boat Racing Law.

Japan.- Masaki Nishikawa, a 30-year-old former boat racer, has been sentenced to three years in prison for match-fixing offences by the Nagoya District Court.

Nishikawa was accused of violating Japan’s Motor Boat Racing Law by receiving cash in return for fixing boat races multiple times.

According to the Mainichi Shimbun, he will have to pay an additional penalty of a JPY37.25m (US$355,000) fine.

Nishikawa was not the only person sentenced in this case. Akira Masukawa, 53, a relative and office worker, received a suspended sentence of five years and a fine of JPY11m (US$105,000) after being found guilty of conspiring with Nishikawa and of violating the Income Tax Act for failing to declare profits earned from races.

In response to the sentencing, Masaaki Ushioda, chairman of the Foundation of Japan Motor Boat Racing Association, commented: “We are making every effort to enhance thorough compliance instruction, management and the inspection system so that this will never happen again.

“We will not forget this incident and will strive to provide our customers with fair, safe and appealing races.”