TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 37-year-old former Japan Post worker for allegedly rigging mail assortment contracts in change for money and lavish Tokyo Disney Resort holidays, stories the Asahi Shimbun (May 20).
Nobuyuki Yoneda, a resident of Adachi Ward, was taken into custody on Tuesday on suspicion of aggravated bribery beneath the Japan Post Co., Ltd. Act, which strictly prohibits staff from accepting bribes in reference to their duties.
According to police, the corruption facilities round a February 2025 bidding course of for “collection operations” — the each day gathering of letters and postcards from mailboxes throughout 4 put up workplaces in Tokyo.
Police allege Yoneda maliciously manipulated the bidding system to make sure the profitable contract went to Haruki Express, a supply agency primarily based in Itabashi Ward.
Police haven’t disclosed whether or not the suspects have admitted to the costs.
“Reserve price”
Prior to the public sale, Yoneda allegedly compelled taking part corporations to submit their estimated operational prices. He then deliberately set Japan Post’s official “reserve price” under these estimates, guaranteeing that each one preliminary bids can be rejected for being too excessive.
Under Japan Post’s guidelines, if no winner is determined, the corporate can bypass customary auctions and negotiate a direct “discretionary contract” with the closest bidder. Thanks to Yoneda’s changes and leaked insider info, Haruki Express secured the contract for roughly 180 million yen—greater than double the preliminary reserve value.
In return for his companies, police say Yoneda obtained 100,000 yen in money and roughly 1.1 million yen value of Tokyo Disney Resort lodge stays and tour packages between October 2024 and May 2025.
Systemic tradition of corruption
Authorities additionally arrested 56-year-old Koichi Nishimura, the consultant director of Haruki Express, together with one different particular person, on suspicion of bribery.
The investigation has additionally hinted at a deeper, systemic tradition of corruption. Authorities are presently wanting into allegations that Yoneda’s predecessor at Japan Post could have additionally obtained kickbacks from the corporate within the type of premium beef and escorts from the intercourse trade to safe their cozy enterprise relationship.
The huge bid-rigging scheme was uncovered throughout an inner probe by Japan Post, which resulted in Yoneda being fired in April. Following the arrests on Tuesday, the corporate issued an announcement saying, “We take this situation very seriously and will thoroughly enforce employee compliance and guidance.”