Tokyo police have confirmed the arrest of a high-ranking television official on suspicion of involvement in illegal gambling.

The incident highlights Japan’s strict stance on illegal online gambling. According to investigators, Yoshitaka Suzuki, a senior planner at Fuji TV, repeatedly used a mobile device to access the online Eldoah Casino. In Japan, participating in gambling on overseas platforms from within the country is considered a criminal offense.

Fuji TV issued the following statement: “We take the case seriously. We will fully cooperate with the investigation and work to prevent a recurrence of such cases.”

The arrest comes amid an intensifying crackdown by Japanese authorities on the use of offshore casinos. A bill is already under consideration in Parliament that would ban the advertisement of such platforms to Japanese citizens.

Under the new legislation, banner ads, affiliate programs, and social media posts aimed at directing users to overseas online casinos will be prohibited in Japan.

The establishment and operation of online casinos and related mobile applications within the country will also be banned.

The updated regulations are expected to enable internet service providers and social media platforms to more actively identify and remove such promotional content.

These measures are part of the Japanese government’s renewed strategy to strengthen efforts in combating gambling addiction.

In March, The Japan Times reported that Japan is planning to implement a new legislative framework to regulate gambling, with a particular focus on cracking down on affiliates that promote gambling services.

In recent months, Japanese authorities have contacted a number of foreign governments requesting restrictions on Japanese citizens’ access to online casinos.

Such requests were sent to Canada, Costa Rica, Georgia, Malta, Anjouan Island, Curaçao, the Isle of Man, and Gibraltar.

Most forms of online gambling are prohibited in Japan, with only limited exceptions such as lotteries, horse racing, motorcycle racing, and motorboat racing.

Nevertheless, an estimated 3.37 million Japanese citizens participate in illegal online casinos, with total wagers reaching approximately ¥1.2 trillion (around $8.39 million) annually.

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