Only a few weeks after his initial detention, Yuji Naka, the co-creator of Sonic and director of Balan Wonderworld, has been arrested once more for insider trading related to Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier. Initially detained in mid-November, Fumiaki Suzuki, and Taisuke Sazaki, both employees of Square Enix, were also present with Naka. Prior to the announcement of its collaboration with Square Enix for the smartphone game Dragon Quest Tact, the three were charged with purchasing shares in game developer Aiming Inc. As reported by Asahi and VGC, the developer has been re-arrested alongside Sazaki for alleged confidential knowledge of fellow mobile game Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier.
Yuji Naka has been accused of using classified info for his personal gain
Naka is charged with insider trading in relation to another Square Enix game. The developer has been re-arrested alongside Sazaki, according to reports from Asahi and VGC, for allegedly having secret knowledge of another mobile game, Final Fantasy 7: The First Soldier.
Similar to the Dragon Quest Tact incident, Naka is said to have known of Square Enix’s intentions to work with developer ATeam before the news broke. He is alleged to have paid 144.7 million Yen (about $1 million USD) for about 120,000 shares in the mobile studio. According to reports, Sazaki paid 105 million yen for 91,000 shares.
The Dragon Quest Tact case is now the only point of distinction, and the special investigation team has officially accused Yuji Naka and his criminal associates of breaking the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.
Square Enix made a public statement after the arrests of Naka, Suzuki, and Sazaki. The company added that it was “taking disciplinary action against the former workers” and that it would “completely assist with the investigation to clarify the facts.” It has not yet responded to the additional arrests.
What are your thoughts about Yuji Naka getting arrested again on insider trading charges related to Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier? Let us know in the comments below!
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