Former Chancellor of Nihon University Hidetoshi Tanaka, Who Was Found Guilty of Tax Evasion Ignored Court’s Order
Ignoring the ban order from the court, he made contact with university officials for three days in a row.
The series of turmoil surrounding the “Don of Nihon University” has reached a turning point. Former Nihon University Chancellor Hidetoshi Tanaka, 75, was accused of violating the Income Tax Law by evading approximately 52 million yen in taxes. He was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for three years, and fined 13 million yen, but he did not appeal to the verdict. The sentence became final on April 13.
That afternoon, former Chancellor Tanaka was found in an unexpected place. He visited Nihon University’s Sakuramon Kaikan, accompanied by members of the Sumo Club.
“The destination of the visit was the Alumni Association, a mutual aid organization of alumni and others, where he met with the acting president under the guise of handing over business operations. This visit continued for three consecutive days until the 15th. Although Nichidai notified him that he was not allowed to enter the university’s facilities on the 14th, former Chancellor Tanaka insisted on his visit,” said a reporter from a national newspaper.
What is the meaning of these daily visits?
A Nihon University alumnus reveals, “The Alumni Association has been said to be the source of Mr. Tanaka’s power. There are more than 1 million members, and many of the senior executives of the Alumni Association are from the “Tanaka faction.” He wants to hold on to the Alumni Association, which he have cherished for so long. With this in mind, the former Chancellor may have attended the meeting for three days.”
The prestige of the don must still remain. Another Nihon University alumnus said.
In fact, in mid-April, several members of the university’s board of trustees were about to hold a meeting at Chanko Restaurant Tanaka, which is run by Tanaka’s wife. It seems that another board member warned them about it and they called it off.”
At the trial, former Chancellor Tanaka replied, “I don’t want to have anything to do with (the university). We asked him directly”
–Do you no longer want to be involved with Nichi-Dai?
Yes, I will not.
–Why did he visit the Alumni Association?
He said, “Now that the verdict has been finalized, I can meet with anyone I want.”
After saying this, he disappeared into the crowd, hiding his face with his bag.
I wonder if the day will ever come when the influence of the “don” will disappear from Nichi-Dai.
From the May 6 and 13, 2022 issues of FRIDAY
Photo by： Shinji Hasuo
