TOKYO (TR) – A former associate professor at the University of Tokyo (Todai) admitted to accepting bribes during his first trial on Thursday, claiming the “absolute power” of his superior made it impossible to refuse lavish outings at hostess and sex clubs, reports TV Asahi (Apr. 23).
Ayumu Yoshizaki, a 46-year-old former specially appointed associate professor at Todai’s Graduate School of Medicine, is accused of receiving roughly 3.8 million yen in entertainment from Koichi Hikichi, 52, the representative director of the Japan Cosmetic Association.
During the hearing at the Tokyo District Court, prosecutors stated that between March 2023 and August 2024, Yoshizaki and his former boss, 62-year-old ex-professor Shinichi Sato, were repeatedly treated to high-end French dining, hostess bars, and adult entertainment venues.
In exchange, the academics were expected to provide favorable treatment in joint research aimed at leveraging the prestigious Todai brand for cosmetic products.
Because personnel at national universities are legally deemed public servants, accepting such favors constitutes bribery.
Appearing before the judge, Yoshizaki fully admitted to the charges. When questioned about his motives, he pointed to Sato’s overwhelming influence. “His authority was extremely strong. Because I had worked under him for many years, I could not strongly refuse,” Yoshizaki testified. He also offered an apology in court, stating, “I showed young doctors a back they should never see.”
In a separate hearing held the same day, Hikichi also admitted to the bribery charges but claimed he was a victim of normalized extortion by the academic elites. The cosmetic association boss testified that Sato treated him “like an ATM,” allegedly forcing him to cover private family trips to Okinawa and even pressuring him to hire Sato’s relatives as joint researchers.
Hikichi has since filed a civil lawsuit against the university and Sato, seeking 42 million yen in damages over the forced entertainment. He has also filed a criminal complaint regarding attempted extortion.
Meanwhile, Sato, whose trial date has not yet been set, previously denied any criminal wrongdoing, telling police the entertainment was “compensation, not an illegal reward.”
Prosecutors are seeking a 14-month prison term for both Yoshizaki and Hikichi, arguing their actions “severely damaged the public’s trust in the University of Tokyo.” Defense teams for both men have requested suspended sentences.
