[1] He entered the Diet in December 2012 and has been elected to four terms, initially in the Chiba 9th district and then as a member representing the Southern Kanto proportional representation block.

[3] He is opposed to nuclear power, a position that is at odds with that of his former party, and had served on an LDP panel favoring renewable energy.

[2][4] In August 2023 Japanese prosecutors alleged that Akimoto accepted bribes from the head of a wind power company.

[3] According to prosecutors, the president of Japan Wind Development made ¥30 million in investments in a group run by Akimoto that specialized in ownership of race horses.

Akimoto resigned his post as Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs on August 4, 2023, the same day that prosecutors searched his home and offices on a warrant.