Tsuneharu Hattori, a former president of Kansai International Airport Co. accused of accepting bribes worth 2.16 million yen from an Osaka oil dealer, claimed innocence in his final trial hearing Tuesday.
The trial of Hattori, who was also a former administrative vice minister in the Transport Ministry, concluded Tuesday at the Tokyo District Court with his lawyers' final argument. A ruling is scheduled for Sept. 1.
Prosecutors have alleged that oil dealer Junichi Izui, 61, wined and dined Hattori at ritzy restaurants on four occasions from 1994 to 1996 in a bid to influence the semigovernmental company's selection of subcontractors for the airport's sanitary work.
During that period, Hattori, 65, received 300 grams of gold worth 420,000 yen, a painting worth 1 million yen and 400,000 yen in department store coupons, prosecutors said.
The prosecution is demanding Hattori be sentenced to two years in prison, fined 1.74 million yen and ordered to turn in the gold. Hattori has admitted receiving the gifts and entertainment, but has maintained they were just a "gratuity."
"I don't deny being wined and dined by Mr. Izui, but I've never done anything that would disgrace the airport's projects," Hattori told the court. Defense lawyers also argued that Hattori has not acknowledged that he was being bribed.