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 governance.
Following the report, company president Nobuaki Yokota (73) and chairman Isao Takagi (81) resigned the same day, taking responsibility for the scandal. Kazuhito Tanaka (60), the former vice president, assumed the role of president. During a press conference, Tanaka acknowledged the inappropriate transactions, describing the matter as serious and pledging efforts to rebuild trust.
The consulting firm implicated in the case, Anest Co., Ltd., 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 Co., Ltd., entered into a contract with Anest in September 2006, under Takagi’s recommendation, to outsource the massage chair business. By December 2016, Anest had received approximately ¥430 million in fees. However, the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau later determined that Anest had no actual involvement in the business, classifying the payments as “donations.”
The committee further found that after 2016, fees were funneled to Anest through another company, a practice it deemed 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 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 Co., Ltd. The investigation revealed that between 2006 and 2016, over ¥400 million (approximately $2.7 million) was paid in connection with a massage chair business, despite Anest having no actual involvement. The payments were later classified as “donations” by the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau. After 2016, additional fees were funneled to Anest through another company, a practice deemed a tax evasion scheme led by former company president Nobuaki Yokota.
The report also uncovered similar misconduct in other business dealings, including advertising and consulting transactions, and criticized the leadership for undermining internal controls. Yokota and chairman Isao Takagi resigned on May 9, taking responsibility for the scandal. Kazuhito Tanaka, the new president, pledged to rebuild trust.
Anest is managed by the son of Makoto Koga, a former secretary-general of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party. While no evidence of political favors was found, Yokota admitted maintaining ties with Koga’s son due to their long-standing relationship. Koga denied any involvement, stating he had never met the company’s leadership.
