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Film producer Hidemi Satani busted for fraud

Hidemi Satani
Hidemi Satani

TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 56-year-old producer known for special-effects films for allegedly defrauding an investor, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Nov. 2).

In February of 2010, Hidemi Satani, based in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward, is alleged to have defrauded a company in Nagoya affiliated with the pachinko industry out of 15 million yen by falsely claiming that a film project “is anticipated to earn between two billion and three billion yen if the rights to the original work are obtained.”

Satani, who has been charged with fraud, denies the allegations. “I didn’t trick anyone,” the suspect is quoted, according to the Asahi Shimbun (Nov. 11).

The original work was a special-effects drama that Satani intended to make into a program to be broadcast on television. The rights to the original work were obtained. However, the making of the subsequent production stalled.

Police are also investigating Satani over additional funds he obtained from that the company that were used to repay debts and cover rent payments.

Satani has produced such notable films as “Memories of Matsuko” and “Cyborg She.”