Authorities arrested Kinko Iwamoto, the former chairman of Tokyo Women's Medical University, on charges of embezzlement related to the university's new campus construction project. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police said on October 13, 2023, Iwamoto, aged 78, is accused of causing damage to the university by unlawfully directing payments exceeding 117 million yen (around $1 million) to the construction company responsible for the projects during her tenure.
According to sources close to the investigation, Iwamoto carried out the alleged misconduct between July 2018 and February 2020—during this time, payments were made under the pretense of construction advisory fees to the president of a construction company located in Taito, Tokyo. Reports indicate some of these funds were misappropriated for her personal use. The police are investigating the extent to which Iwamoto may have benefited personally from these transactions.
The scandal appears to be rooted in broader governance issues at Tokyo Women's Medical University, which has faced scrutiny over inadequate financial oversight. The allegations against Iwamoto came to light after members of the alumni community filed criminal complaints against her, claiming she engaged in unsanctioned contract agreements with consultants and approved substantial fund distributions without proper oversight. This prompted the police to search multiple locations, including the university's headquarters and Iwamoto's residence, highlighting the severity of the allegations.
A report from the university's independent review committee was released, indicating serious lapses since Iwamoto took on significant decision-making roles. It detailed numerous instances of questionable financial expenditures, primarily pointing to issues arising since December 2014 when Iwamoto became vice chair. This sparked concerns about conflicts of interest and mismanagement of university funds.
This recent arrest marks another troubling chapter for the institution. The previous year saw reports of university staff reportedly receiving payments without any actual work completed, leading to allegations of misuse of funds amounting to approximately 20 million yen. The police have investigated these matters thoroughly, leading to increased scrutiny of how university finances are managed.
Though Iwamoto has yet to make any public statements directly addressing the allegations, the situation at Tokyo Women’s Medical University continues to draw significant public and media interest as details emerge. Stakeholders within the academic community are watching closely, as the resolution of this scandal could spark institutional reforms or changes to governance policies.
Experts suggest this arrest could prompt universities nationwide to reassess their administrative structures and oversight mechanisms, especially concerning financial responsibilities held by their leaders. Given the significant amounts of money involved and the potential for personal gain at the expense of the institution, the implications of this scandal go far beyond Tokyo Women’s Medical University alone.