Kenji Haga unexpectedly acquitted of fraud

[Tokyograph News]

On Friday, the Osaka District Court delivered a verdict of not guilty in the high-profile trial of actor Kenji Haga. Haga was arrested last year on charges of fraud and attempted extortion, along with his supposed accomplice, former boxing champion Jiro Watanabe. Prosecutors were seeking sentences of 8 years and 4 years for the two men, respectively, but both have been acquitted.

The trial's hearings had concluded in May of this year, but Haga's defense requested that the hearings be reopened. Haga was accused of defrauding a man by selling him stocks worth significantly less than the asking price, but it was argued that the victim was aware of the stocks' actual worth. In delivering the verdict, the judge stated that there were still doubts about the victim's testimony.

Most cases in Japan that are sent to trial end in a guilty verdict, and it is very rare that an innocent verdict is delivered in a case where the prosecution is confident enough to seek a long sentence.

Haga is currently discussing with his agency the possibility of a return to show business.

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