Lower House member Akimoto Masatoshi, who is suspected of receiving a bribe from a wind power generation company, jointly set up a racehorse owners' group with the head of the firm. Prosecutors apparently believe the money the president gave the group was actually a bribe intended for the lawmaker.

On Saturday, the prosecutors searched the headquarters of Japan Wind Development and the residence of its president, Tsukawaki Masayuki.

Tsukawaki's lawyer explained that his client and Akimoto are fellow thoroughbred owners. The legal adviser said that the two jointly set up the group.

The lawyer added that Tsukawaki provided about 30 million yen, or 210,000 dollars, between October 2021 and June of this year, in response to requests from Akimoto. The legal adviser said that Tsukawaki handed Akimoto money in cash and transferred funds to the group's bank account. The lawyer said Akimoto has managed the bank account and purchased racehorses on his own.

Akimoto posed questions during Diet sessions about the government's offshore wind farm projects, around the time that the firm provided the money. He was apparently trying to help the firm win a contract.

The prosecutors are looking into the possibility that the funds, which the president provided, actually constitute a bribe to Akimoto, who has effectively run the group.

The lawyer denies the allegation that the money was a bribe. The legal adviser noted that Tsukawaki holds a 45 percent share of the group. But the lawyer admitted that Tsukawaki is not the person listed as having officially established the group.

Meanwhile, Japan Wind Development issued a statement on Saturday. It said it cannot discuss the case, as investigations are underway. It added that it will fully cooperate with the investigators, so that the matter can be resolved.