Japan - Executive involved in Livedoor deals found dead

Kyodo News (Japan) | January 18, 2006

[HAL9000]

The vice-president of HS Securities, which was involved in corporate takeover deals by internet firm Livedoor, has been found dead.

Police suspect that the executive, Hideaki Noguchi, 38, committed suicide.

HS Securities was among the companies raided by the special investigation squad of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office in connection with investigations into alleged fraudulent practices by Livedoor and its group of companies.

The Tokyo-based securities house is led by Hideo Sawada, founder of major travel agency H.I.S. Company.

[HAL9000]

Yesterday - Selling stampede shuts down Tokyo stock market

[steve86]

The guy is dead as a doornail but some well-connected people feel the Livedoor thing really had nothing to do with the Nikkei situation. It was a red herring. No one cared before and now one cares now what happens to the Livedoor company. Condolences to his family, however.

[snowsislander]

For what it is worth, this is indeed a story from a major news source.

The link to the Kyodo story is here:

http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstStory/index.php?storyid=225279