Key Facts
A special investigative committee of Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd., which operates the Haneda Airport terminal buildings, released findings on May 9 regarding allegations of improper financial benefits provided to a Tokyo-based consulting firm. The investigation revealed that over ¥400 million (approximately $2.7 million) was paid between 2006 and 2016 in connection with a massage chair business. The committee also identified repeated instances of similar misconduct across other business dealings, concluding that leadership changes were essential to restore corporate governance.
Following the report, company president Nobuaki Yokota (73) and chairman Isao Takagi (81) resigned the same day. Kazuhito Tanaka (60), the former vice president, assumed the role of president. During a press conference, Tanaka acknowledged the findings, stating, “Inappropriate transactions involving specific individuals were confirmed. We take this matter seriously and will work to regain trust.”
The consulting firm in question, Anest, is managed by the son of Makoto Koga, a former secretary-general of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party. According to the investigation, a subsidiary of Japan Airport Terminal, Big Wing, entered into a contract with Anest in September 2006, introduced by Takagi. By December 2016, Anest had received approximately ¥430 million (around $2.9 million) in fees. However, the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau later determined that Anest had no actual involvement in the massage chair operations, classifying the payments as “donations.”
The committee further found that after 2016, fees were funneled to Anest through another company, a practice it described as a tax evasion scheme orchestrated by Yokota. Additionally, the investigation revealed that Yokota and Takagi pressured other companies managing the massage chair business after December 2020 to continue paying fees to Anest. Similar patterns of financial misconduct were identified in advertising and consulting transactions, with the committee criticizing the leadership for undermining internal controls.
While no evidence was found of Japan Airport Terminal requesting political or administrative favors from Koga’s son, Yokota admitted to maintaining ties with him due to their long-standing relationship. Koga, in a statement to Yomiuri Shimbun, denied any involvement, emphasizing that he had never met the company’s leadership.
Summary
An investigative committee of Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd., which manages Haneda Airport’s terminal buildings, disclosed findings on May 9 regarding improper payments to a Tokyo-based consulting firm, Anest. Between 2006 and 2016, over ¥430 million (approximately $2.9 million) was paid to Anest, a company managed by the son of former Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Makoto Koga. The payments, linked to a massage chair business, were later deemed “donations” by the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau, as Anest had no actual involvement in the operations.
The investigation revealed that after 2016, payments were funneled to Anest through another company, a scheme reportedly orchestrated by then-president Nobuaki Yokota. Yokota and chairman Isao Takagi also pressured other firms to continue payments to Anest after 2020. Similar misconduct was identified in other transactions, including advertising and consulting deals, leading to criticism of the leadership for undermining internal controls.
Following the report, Yokota and Takagi resigned, and former vice president Kazuhito Tanaka assumed the presidency. Tanaka pledged to restore trust. Koga denied involvement, stating he had no connection with the company’s leadership.
