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Porn starlet exposed — by the Tokyo tax office

Shukan Shincho Sept. 15
Shukan Shincho Sept. 15

In Japan’s adult video (AV) industry, many actresses fizzle out after only one or two years. Yuria Satomi is an exception. Known for her short hair and big eyes, the 31-year-old actress has enjoyed a career spanning nine years.

According to Shukan Shincho (Sept. 15), some of Satomi’s most ardent followers appear to be members of the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau, whose investigation two years ago on suspicion of tax evasion revealed that most of her income does not come from AV films.

According to a person from the bureau, Satomi never filed a tax return between 2007 and 2013. Over that same period, her bank account received deposits totaling 245 million yen. “This led the bureau to point out that there was ‘hidden income,’” the source with the bureau tells the magazine.

In breaking down her income, the magazine speculates that Satomi is paid approximately one million yen for each of the roughly 20 films she appears in over each year. The resulting total income, however, is nowhere near 245 million yen.

“In fact, she received 45 million yen from her work as an AV actress,” continues the tax bureau source. “The remaining 200 million yen came from boyfriends. They deposited the money into her account.”

In taking into consideration additional taxation and taxes in arrears, the bureau determined that Satomi was liable for 115 million yen in penalties.

Money ‘as compensation’

Initially, the actress accepted the result. However, she soon after changed course, appearing at the Meguro Tax Office with a statement refuting the decision.

“Indeed, money was transferred to me by men whom I had been dating, but the amount was not decided by me,” she claimed. “Since I received it as compensation for mental and physical strain, I consider it to be the result of open affection.”

Yuria Satomi appears in 'Full Course of Ultimate Hip-Shaking'
No withholding: Yuria Satomi starred in ‘Full Course of Ultimate Hip-Shaking,’ released in March by AV label Premium

All told, four men, a doctor in Osaka, an employee at a foreign currency exchange company, a real estate agent living in Hong Kong and the president of a non-profit organization, each paid Satomi 50 million yen.

“We were dating under the assumption of eventual marriage, a condition that was not fulfilled, and I received the money as compensation,” she added in her protest.

Tax counselor Hiroaki Urano says that Satomi likely received professional guidance regarding the Income Tax Law.

“To receive compensation for damages incurred to the mind and body is not considered new income under the law, and is not taxable,” says Urano.

The aforementioned tax official said a compensation payment of between 500,000 yen and two million yen could be viewed as reasonable. “But 50 million yen? There was no reason for that to be recognized, and the claim was rejected,” the official said.

A representative from Satomi’s agency told the magazine that the tax penalty has been paid. “We have heard that the tax investigation is finished,” the person said.

Source: “Kokuzei kara 2 oku 4500 man-en no shotoku kakushi wo shiteki sa reta ninki AV-jo no mitsugare kata,” Shukan Shincho (Sept. 15, page 41)