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Tokyo Court Acquits Ex–Cancer Center Doctor in Alleged Stent Bribery Case

The judge ruled prosecutors did not prove he intended to accept rewards for favoring a device maker’s products.

Overview

  • The Tokyo District Court delivered the not‑guilty verdict on February 6 under Presiding Judge Katsuko Mukai.
  • Defendant Yusuke Hashimoto, 49, formerly led hepatobiliary‑pancreatic medicine at the National Cancer Center Hospital East in Kashiwa, Chiba.
  • Prosecutors alleged Zeon Medical sent him about ¥1.46 million in 2020 and about ¥1.68 million in 2021 tied to his use of its stents.
  • The prosecution had sought two years and six months in prison and roughly ¥3.15 million in forfeiture.
  • No immediate appeal was reported, and a separate bribery case against a former Zeon Medical president remains in trial.