Third-party committee releases report on entertainment and cash received during Himeji Dokkyo University transfer negotiations

On the 21st, the school published an investigation report by a third-party committee on its website regarding issues such as the board members of Dokkyo Gakuen, the educational corporation that operates the university, receiving dinner and entertainment during negotiations for the transfer of Himeji Dokkyo University (Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture), which continues to be under capacity. According to the report, more than 300,000 yen in cash was received, and 13 dinners and entertainment were held at hotel restaurants and restaurants.

In its investigation report, the third-party committee pointed out that the directors in charge, who are required to maintain fairness, were repeatedly entertained at high-end restaurants and received cash payments, saying, ``It must be said that this was extremely problematic in terms of compliance.'' In response to an interview, the school's general affairs department said, ``We will take the recommendations seriously and work to restore trust.The future response will be determined by the board of directors.''

According to school officials, the school entered into a basic agreement with the former Nara prefectural police chief in February 2024 in preparation for the transfer of the university. In reality, a man introduced as knowledgeable about school corporation management and mergers and acquisitions was in charge of communicating with the school. The basic agreement was reportedly canceled in September 2025 after questions were raised over the course of the negotiations.

According to the investigation report, the school's director in charge of negotiations with the man received 210,000 yen for "travel expenses," and the school councilor received 100,000 yen for "transportation expenses" from the man. The former secretary general of Himeji Dokkyo University is believed to have received the cash, but he did not respond to an interview.

The dinners and entertainment were held 13 times from December 2013 to November 2011. All of the directors in charge participated 12 times, including the former secretary general of Himeji Dokkyo University, 8 times school executives who are former Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology employees, and 3 times school councilors.

"There's no need to have a meeting at a high-end restaurant."

The meals were held at high-end restaurants such as hotel restaurants and restaurants, and although the cost is unknown, it is said that the dinner courses at the restaurants he visited three times cost more than 28,000 yen per person.

The third-party committee pointed out, ``There is no need to hold the meeting at a high-end restaurant.'' She had also been drinking, and the directors in charge found it necessary to say that she had been entertained by a man.