Tokui Yoshimi returns to TV, NTV receives over 200 complaints

Back in February, it was announced that Tokui Yoshimi will resume entertainment activity but the novel coronavirus hit and Tokui’s return to television was delayed.

Tokui finally made his return to NTV on “Konya Kurabete Mimashita”, a year after his tax scandal and the station receiver over 200 complaints.

When asked about making his return, Tokui said, “Yes, uh, I was absent from this program for about a year because of my own incompetence.  Once again, I would like to apologize to the viewers and those who felt uncomfortable.  I’m very sorry” and Tokui bowed his head.

Tokui continued, “Well, I caused a lot of trouble to the program staff and co-stars. I’m very sorry.  For the past year, I’ve reflected and am remorseful about things that I haven’t understood as a member of society.  I was immature, I was sloppy and now I will do various things and do what I can to fulfill my obligations. From today, I will start participating in this program again with a feeling of starting from scratch.”

Tokui then bowed again.

Back on October 26th, Yoshimoto Kogyo (44) announced that Tokui Yoshimi will not be involved in any entertainment activities for the time being due to a scandal in which he did not pay taxes for many years.

At the time, Tokui appeared on ten programs before activities were put on pause.  While he is returning to entertainment activity, it is not known if he will be returning to any TV programs anytime soon.

Tokui issued the following statement, “This time, I am very sorry for bothering the public and all the people involved due to my tax issues and now distrust me.  From now own, I would like to reconsider my awareness of tax payments and I would like to reexamine myself”.

In addition, because Tokui was not able to answer much about his past of paying taxes, Yoshimoto Kogyo did an investigation and made additional revelations.

Tokui’s Tulip Corporation where all his income from talent activities goes to was established in 2009. There was one director and that is Tokui..

From March 2010 to March 2012, he did not report within the deadline for filing with the tax office.  He filed late for the three years on June 25, 2012.

From fiscal year ending March 31, 2013 to March 2015, he did not file within the due date for each year and it was filed late on July 23, 2015, as a response to the tax office.  Due to negligence, bank deposits were seized around May 2016.

Due to repeated tax non-payments, Tulip received a tax examination by the National Tax Agency around September 2018 and there was no information for the three years from the fiscal year ending March 2016 to the fiscal year ending March 2018.

Travel expenses, clothing costs which were recorded as expenses in tax returns for years ending March 31, 2012 to 2015 were denied.

Tulip submitted a tax return for the three years from March 2016 to March 2018 in accordance with the guidance from the tax offices from November to December 2018.  A revised tax return for the four years from the fiscal years ending in March 31, 2012 to the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 was paid (approx. 37 million yen) with an additional corporate tax.

That was for Tulip.  For Tokui’s individual tax filing, there was no tax payment from 2012 to 2014.  As a result, he made payment for those three years on July 23, 2015.  From 2015 to 2017, he did not pay his taxes and he payed around November 2018.  For 2018, a tax return was completed and paid within the deadline.

Last, Tokui did not apply for social insurance since Tulip was established in 2009.

According to the news report, Tokui has hired an accountant and Yoshimoto Kogyo is also providing tax support and his tax return for 2019 has been filed.