Tokui Yoshimi holds apology press conference

Tokui Yoshimi (44), part of the comedy group Tutorial, is in the hot seat as the Tokyo Kokuzekyoku (Tokyo Tax Bureau) for hiding income and undeclared income for seven years.

The popular comedian held an apology press conference. Tokui said, “I am apologizing because I was unable to pay my taxes due to my negligence and caused great inconvenience to those who are paying their taxes properly”.

Tokui said, “Although I was aware of my duty to pay my taxes and I was encouraged by my tax accountant to report it but I know its unimaginable, I procrastinated and three years have passed”.

As for the clothing, Tokui said, “I have clothes for TV work and also are private clothes. Because I used it for work, I thought this could be filed as an expense”.

Tokui said she should have paid more attention in listening to a tax accountant and took responsibility for his actions.

According to reports, a company established by Yoshimi failed to report Y120 million yen ($1.1 million US) for a seven year period up to 2018. According to the Tokyo Tax Bureau, around Y20 million yen was concealed as Tokui’s personal expenses were recorded as company expenses.

It was reported that Tokui received TV and radio performance income paid by his office Yoshimoto Kogyo to his company “Tulip Co., Ltd.”. The company’s income was not reported from 2016-2018.

For four years (2012-2015), it was said that travel expenses and clothing charges were filed as company expenses and that income was hidden.

The amount of additional taxes, including a double addition tax estimated at Y34 million has been completed and paid for in the latest tax return.