JR Freight employee arrested in Fukuoka bribery investigation

Fukuoka Prefectural Police conducted a search of the JR Freight Kyushu Maintenance Technology Center in Moji Ward, Kitakyushu, on September 24. The raid follows the arrest of Shinichi Zaizen, a 62-year-old employee of the JR Freight Kyushu branch, on suspicion of violating the JR Companies Act.

Authorities allege that between May 2024 and September 2025, Zaizen accepted 900,000 yen in cash to facilitate electrical work contracts for a security company based in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka. The president and a director of the security company have also been arrested for bribery. The total value of contracts awarded to the company through this arrangement is estimated to be approximately 20 million yen.