In the case of the Samouraï guys it will be very difficult to obtain a pardon because they pleaded guilty, whatever the reasons their lawyers recommended that I don't know

But if you look at the data, most white collar crime takes the deal, that's just the way it is, going to trial could end up with decades long sentences

It's all very well saying you'd never plead guilty but on the day when you're taking advice from legal people and they're saying if you plead not guilty you could get 50yrs at trial

So I can only imagine these guys took the advice of their highly paid lawyers and probably pressure from family members who just wanted the least worst outcome

You don't know until it's you