Former Chancellor of Tokyo Women's Medical University Detained for Trust Breach
Japanese authorities have taken into custody Kinuko Iwamoto, the ex-chancellor of Tokyo Women's Medical University, on allegations of breach of trust connected to questionable construction consulting payments made by the institution. According to sources familiar with the ongoing investigation, the 78-year-old Iwamoto is believed to have orchestrated the university's unlawful disbursement of approximately ¥120 million in consulting fees to an architect over a period spanning from July 2018 to February 2020, as part of a project for a new school building.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has determined that the payments made lacked any legitimate basis, leading investigators to suspect that the funds may have been diverted back to Iwamoto for her personal use. The architect in question began serving as a construction consultant for the university in April 2016, initially earning between ¥40,000 and ¥50,000 per day, as noted by several individuals with knowledge of the situation and a third-party review committee.
In February 2018, while still serving as vice chancellor, Iwamoto proposed an increase in the architect's fees, a suggestion that was subsequently approved by the university's board with minimal discussion. Over the course of approximately three and a half years, the university reportedly paid the architect a total of about ¥309.3 million, which continued until February 2022. Iwamoto ascended to the position of chancellor in April 2019 but was dismissed in August of the previous year amidst allegations concerning improper expenditures associated with the university's alumnae association, known as Shiseikai.
The Tokyo Police had previously conducted searches at both the university's headquarters and Iwamoto's residence in March of last year as part of their investigation into an aggravated breach of trust. This inquiry was fueled by suspicions that Shiseikai had disbursed around ¥20 million in salaries to one of Iwamoto's aides, despite that individual not being employed by the organization.
The case has raised significant concerns regarding financial governance within educational institutions in Japan, prompting calls for increased oversight and accountability. As investigations continue, the implications of this incident could reverberate throughout the academic community, highlighting the importance of ethical management and transparency in financial dealings.
