High court upholds 2 1/2-yr term for Livedoor founder Horie

Friday 25th July, 09:38 AM JST

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11 Comments

williamsmith at 08:41 AM JST - 25th July

I think he was framed. He pissed the wrong people off when trying to buy Fuji TV.
buggerlugs at 09:26 AM JST - 25th July

I think this is ridiculous, he is the one person who could have brought Japans business system and culture out of the dark-ages and they slam him like this. Others have done much worse and only gotten a slap on the wrists, I guess they knew the right (wrong/dodgy) people. I agree with williamsmith, he must have annoyed the wrong people or not bribed the right ones.
nutsagain at 09:55 AM JST - 25th July

We'd like to believe in the Horie as hero fable but I'm sure he cooked the books. That being said, I'm equally sure they status quo wanted his balls for neckties as he was a clear threat to the Japanese OB business network.
timorborder at 11:15 AM JST - 25th July

Combination of both arguments. Horie has certainly made enough waves (enemies) among the establishment over the years. The "Empire" is now striking back and Horie is off to the pen.

At the same time, however, I am inclined to believe that in doing business, he did sometimes cut corners. The question is, however, do such indiscretions warrant jail time? You also have to consider the fact that others have done much worse on to receive a light slap across the wrist.
electric2004 at 12:52 PM JST - 25th July

Once he is free, he can try again. And then he know how to improve the rules of his game. Ganbatte.
boonme at 01:13 PM JST - 25th July

It is all about the secret halls of power in Japan. Horie vastly underestimated the scope and reach of the OB networks. Piss off one any your in trouble, piss of many and they will find a way to make you do hard time.

There are so many examples of the misuses of power in Japan.

Just look at the recent Greenpeace activists who investigated and intercepted stolen whale meat and handed the evidence over to the public prosecutor.

The prosecutor said there was evidence to warrant an investigation and then started the investigation into the smuggling of whale meat off the whaling ships. But this investigation was quickly dropped; funnily enough on the same day that police decided to arrest the greenpeace activist, for stealing already stolen whale meat.

You know that murky LDP powers were pulling those strings.

Horie can expect much of the same and they won't let him rest so easily when he gets out. He is going to be watched over closely.

I just hope he fights back hard but protects himself better the second time round.
Hughgarse at 01:16 PM JST - 25th July

I think he was framed. He pissed the wrong people off when trying to buy Fuji TV.

On the majic button on that one.. Japan just wants to stay in the dark ages I swear.
medievaltimes at 02:42 PM JST - 25th July

The nail that sticks up will get hammered down.
LIBERTAS at 02:43 PM JST - 25th July

He ticked off the old guard who don't want to pay dividends like Western market players do. This whole economy is about funding public money to favored enterprises, for the benefit of the few. Horie-mon is being made an example of. Clear, forwardlooking thinkers beware! Uppity entrepreneurs like him or the fund manager Murakami are in a similar pickle. High profile targets threatening the "Wa" people.
WMD at 09:26 PM JST - 25th July

Well he's now decided to go to the Supreme Court. I wish him well but don't hold your breath. The establishment always get what it wants. And that is this upstart out of the way. He should have raped someone. He'd be told he was virile and at most get a suspended sentence.
lipscombe at 09:52 PM JST - 25th July

the younger nail that sticks up and annoys the old duffers gets an unsuspended hammering down