At the first hearing of a bribery case on September 10, a Nogata City official accused of receiving goods worth approximately ¥1.2 million in exchange for favorable treatment of a subcontractor, pleaded not guilty. Tomoaki Abe, a former section chief, allegedly accepted nearly 170 items, including fishing and golf equipment, from a former executive of the company involved. Abe admitted to accepting gifts but denied any wrongdoing related to his official duties. The defense of the accused executive stated they do not dispute the facts but will leave judgment on the relation to official duties to the court. Source: NHK
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