Unveiling Hokkaido’s Athletics Association: A Tale of Embezzlement and Misuse

FRIDAY Digital’s investigation revealed that the staff of the Hokkaido Athletics Association were dismissed by the end of December, the month following the report on the unpaid fees. Mr. Takenari Watanabe, Executive Director of the Association, stated that the dismissal of administrative staff was not disciplinary, not directly related to the unpaid fees. However, according to another source, while the staff member has acknowledged their wrongdoing and expressed intent to repay, the repayment has not yet been made. Facing significant damages and being pushed to the brink of extinction, the Association could potentially press charges against the staff member and file a lawsuit, but there are even voices advocating for a settlement.

In this crisis situation, local leaders in Hokkaido who are passionate about nurturing young athletes express their frustration openly. They state, “The executives have clearly lost their sense of responsibility.” They continue,

“They continue to procrastinate, believing that somehow things will work out. There is no prospect of paying the outstanding registration fees, and when it comes to corporate dissolution, they even say don’t disclose.

It’s outrageous to think of settling with the staff member suspected of misuse privately. How will they justify this to the middle and high school students, and their parents, who are striving hard with dreams of participating in the Olympics or World Championships? They should deal with this decisively and transparently, and all information should be disclosed. If they don’t, it’s a cover-up.”

Sports writer Toshiki Tsuda, who has been investigating the Hokkaido Athletics Association’s unpaid fees and improper accounting practices, criticizes harshly. He points out,

“The date on the document obtained from the board meeting report is written as ‘Reiwa 5,’ but it should officially be ‘Reiwa 6.’ Additionally, although it is not the document mentioned above, in another document, the discipline of administrative staff is referred to as disciplinary dismissal, which is a term used for civil servants, showing how sloppy the document is. The Association is not functioning as an organization.”

There are individuals among the athletics community in Hokkaido who have consulted the police about criminally accusing the administrative staff. If it’s true that executives of the Association are proposing settlements, it can only be seen as their own self-protection to avoid repercussions. While the Japan Association of Athletics Federations claims they will provide maximum advice, more proactive steps are desired.

The Japan Association of Athletics Federations has been informed of Mr. Maru’s resignation from the Association, but claims to be unaware of the dismissal of administrative staff. President Kenzo Ogai of the Japan Association of Athletics Federations reveals their stance on these developments, saying, “To ensure that registered members of the local association in Hokkaido, including athletes and referees, can engage in athletics with peace of mind, we will continue to urge the Hokkaido Athletics Association to respond promptly and appropriately, and we will also strive to understand the situation and provide necessary support and cooperation.”

Among the registered members of the local association in Hokkaido is Shotaro Shiroyama, the Japanese record holder in the long jump. With the Japanese Championships in June, which also serves as the Olympic selection trials, will he be able to compete calmly? What necessary measures will the Japan Association of Athletics Federations take? This issue has drawn the attention of not only athletics stakeholders but also the general public.