Hokkaido Community Chest reports 250 million yen in missing funds

The Hokkaido Community Chest, which operates the Red Feather Community Chest fundraising program, has announced an additional 70 million yen in unaccounted funds. This brings the total amount of missing donations to 250 million yen.

The investigation into the misappropriation began in June 2026, following a tax investigation into a former male secretary-general in his 50s for suspected income tax law violations. The former official was subsequently dismissed following the discovery of 180 million yen in missing funds. It is suspected that the embezzlement began around 2020.

Legal counsel noted that the former official had managed to conceal the discrepancies for six years by utilizing loans and financial arrangements with business partners. While the Hokkaido Community Chest has not definitively confirmed if the former secretary-general is responsible for the newly discovered 70 million yen, Chairman Hideo Seo indicated it is a strong possibility. A third-party committee was established on September 11 to conduct a detailed investigation.