Yuji Naka Has Been Arrested For Insider Trading

B. Simmons November 18, 2022 in Video Games Tagged BALAN WONDERWORLD, Insider Trading, Square Enix, Yuji Naka - 2 Minutes

Apparently the police did not like Balan Wonderworld.

Yes, it seems to be true. Yuji Naka (57), known for his longtime involvement with the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, has been arrested for insider trading.

FNN: Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office arrested 57-year-old game creator Yuji Naka in context of insider trading related to new installment from popular Dragon Quest franchise.https://t.co/KhsPBB676m
— Takashi Mochizuki (@6d6f636869) November 18, 2022

According to FNN, which goes into more detail, Naka bought stock in the studio Aiming, which is currently working on a new Dragon Quest title, while he was still at Square Enix in 2020. Since Dragon Quest always sells ridiculous amounts, he stood to earn quite a bit from this, as Aiming’s profile would rise astronomically. The game in question seems to be the mobile game Dragon Quest Tact.

Naka allegedly bought 10,000 shares of Aiming for ~¥2.8 million ahead of the announcement of the studio’s involvement. This opened him up to being arrested under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.

Naka was not alone in this, however; Taisuke Sasaki (38), a former employee of Square Enix, and Fumiaki Suzuki (40), an acquaintance, were also arrested for doing much the same. Reportedly, they bought 162,000 shares of Aiming for about ¥47.2 million. It’s unknown if any of the 3 men sold off their shares post-announcement.

READ: Star Wars: The Old Republic - Knights of the Eternal Throne is out now

Naturally, despite being in the midst of a meltdown, a few people on Twitter found this a bit too good to pass up.

pic.twitter.com/JvcVIRVEfM
— Mom (@mommilph) November 18, 2022

>Sonic Frontiers maps abilities to different buttons instead of only using one
>Yuji Naka's downfall immediately begins
— 💙🌕❄️ (@StellaNoxEclair) November 18, 2022

Live footage of Yuji Naka in Japan rn pic.twitter.com/HfT52ua94J
— Sam Procrastinates (@SamsProStation) November 18, 2022

It’s literally City Escape.

https://twitter.com/SNick_WT/status/1593462138168918019

sonic gets one good 3D game after a long time and yuji naka gets arrested and twitter shuts down
— gambito. (@Gambito32x) November 18, 2022

I’m waiting the prison comedy flick starring Yuji Naka and Chris Chan and how they focus on trying to escape so they can make a Sonichu game https://t.co/zgReN1Q4ol
— FORDLANDIA (@manfordic) November 18, 2022

He will save Yuji Naka & Twitter. pic.twitter.com/0yYDNclpLS
— Jawmuncher (@Jawmuncher) November 18, 2022

So yeah, it was a heck of a day.

Source: FNN

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B. Simmons

Based out of Glendale California, Bryan is a GAMbIT’s resident gaming contributor. Specializing in PC and portable gaming, you can find Bryan on his 3DS playing Monster Hunter or at one of the various conventions throughout the state.

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B. Simmons

Based out of Glendale California, Bryan is a GAMbIT's resident gaming contributor. Specializing in PC and portable gaming, you can find Bryan on his 3DS playing Monster Hunter or at one of the various conventions throughout the state.

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