Tourism Councillor Don The secretary of "former secretary general Nikai" is summarily indicted, will it affect the tourism industry?
On the afternoon of Friday, January 19, 2024, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office filed a summary indictment (*1) against the office of Toshihiro Nikai, 84, former secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party, on suspicion that he had misappropriated more than 30 million yen in political fund party income over the past five years and failed to include it in his income and expenditure reports. (Photo: Mr. Nikai inspecting the Travel Festival Tourism EXPO Japan Osaka / October 2023)
In addition, on the 18th, the Nikai faction (Shishokai) corrected its income and expenditure report regarding the omission of about 210 million yen in party income for the three years from 2020, about 140 million yen and about 74 million yen as the total amount from the previous year in 2020. In addition, in the corrected report, the amount of expenditure of about 65 million yen was added, which is suspected of being kickback from the faction to Mr. Nikai and a total of seven others. In connection with this, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office indicted the faction's accounting officer at home (*2) on the afternoon of the 19th.
| *1: In the case of a summary indictment, a trial will not be held, and a fine or penalty of up to 1 million yen will be imposed as a punishment. However, no detention will take place, and no third party will be notified (even if the suspect is a company employee). *2: "Home prosecution" means that the suspect is not detained, but is investigated while living his or her daily life, and may then be prosecuted. |
Former Secretary General Nikai is known as the Don of Tourism Tribals, having served as the president of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (ANTA) for more than 30 years and was appointed as the head of the Osaka Expo Promotion Headquarters in the party. The "Go To Campaign" during the coronavirus pandemic was carried out by the skills of the secretary-general at the time.
From these, it can be inferred that the political fundraising party hosted by former Secretary General Nikai has many participants from the tourism industry. It will be interesting to see if this incident will affect his position in the tourism industry.
Mr. Nikai will celebrate his 85th birthday next month on February 17.
(Postscript) After 6 p.m. on Friday, the 19th, Kyodo News According to the report, the secretary who was summarily indicted this time was an employee of a company entrusted with the affairs of the "National Association of Travel Agents" and turned into Mr. Nikai's secretary. According to the acquaintance, the secretary described the character as carrying out Mr. Nikai's strict instructions and gently placing his hand on his back when moving.
In addition, after the decision to indict the secretary and indict the accounting officer at home, Mr. Nikai was asked about the facts of the case at a press conference announcing the dissolution of the faction. "I don't know anything." "Politics is Trust" I commented.
