TOKYO (TR) – Prosecutors have indicted the former director of the Azul Claro Numazu soccer club for allegedly evading more than 262 million yen in income taxes via a horse racing prediction system, reports TBS News (Jan. 9).
On Friday, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors’ Office Special Investigation Division indicted without detention Tsuyoshi Tani, the 57-year-old former representative director of the management company of Azul Claro Numazu, and company executive Toryo Tokunaka, 71, on charges of violating the Income Tax Act.
According to sources, the two men used a unique system to predict which horses would win races held by the Japan Racing Association and other organizations. After purchasing bets, they reaped huge profits, with payouts reaching over 2 billion yen in some months.
According to the division, Tani is accused of concealing profits of approximately 310 million yen and evading income tax of approximately 136 million yen over a two-year period up to 2021.
Meanwhile, Tokunaka is accused of failing to declare profits of approximately 302 million yen and evading income tax of approximately 126 million yen over the same time.
The division has not disclosed whether the two have admitted to the charges.
Amended tax return
In December 2023, Tani informed the club of his intention to resign from his position. That resignation was official on April 24, 2024.
Last June, Azul Claro Numazu reported that Tani, under the guidance of the Regional Taxation Bureau, had filed an amended tax return and paid the necessary taxes.
“We would like to inform you that this matter is a personal tax issue for Tani and does not affect the club’s corporate operations or financial procedures,” the club said. “The club will continue to work closely with all relevant parties and respond to this matter in a sincere manner.”
