Former Kimura Construction Co. executive Akira Shinozuka KYODO PHOTO

The head of the Tokyo branch of the now-defunct contractor was found guilty of falsifying the balance sheet to show the builder had a net worth of ¥400 million while its liabilities actually exceeded its assets by ¥1.3 billion.

Shinozuka's guilty verdict also came a day after prosecutors asked for a five-year prison term for disgraced architect Hidetsugu Aneha, the central figure in the building safety fraud, who is standing trial on various charges, including falsification of data on building quake-resistance.

The window-dressing by Shinozuka, whose sentence was suspended for three years, was deliberate, habitual and "significantly vicious," presiding Judge Ikuro Toishi said.

Judge Toishi ruled that contrary to Shinozuka's claims, he was well aware of the window-dressing and played a key role in the misdeed.

The Japan Times Weekly: Nov. 11, 2006
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