Hundreds of millions of yen unclear at the All Japan Private Kindergarten Association

At the "All Japan Private Kindergarten Association", which collects membership fees from private kindergartens nationwide, multiple funds accumulated for international exchange, etc. are withdrawn without formal procedures. According to an interview with NHK, it was found that the use of hundreds of millions of yen was unknown.

The president of the Kindergarten Federation resigned after being pointed out the existence of unclear money last November, and the Kindergarten Federation is currently conducting an internal investigation into how to spend a large amount of money.

The "All Japan Private Kindergarten Association", which has about 7,500 private kindergartens nationwide, is a voluntary organization established in 1984 for the purpose of promoting early childhood education. We are making requests to the national government and parliamentarians for promotion measures such as free early childhood education.

The Kindergarten Federation has accumulated several funds in addition to the general account of about 200 million yen per year such as membership fee income, but according to multiple parties, the funds for international exchange and disaster countermeasures have undergone formal procedures. It is said that it was found after September last year when the federation's financial results were audited last year that the total amount of funds of hundreds of millions of yen has become unclear due to the withdrawal of funds.

Takashi Kagawa, chairman of the Kindergarten Federation, resigned from the post of chairman who served for more than 10 years for 5 terms after being pointed out the existence of unclear money on November 27, last year.

Former Chairman Kagawa, who resigned from NHK's interview, said, "I resigned because I am responsible for managing and supervising the useless money as chairman, but the office staff manages the account, and I myself have a fund of 1 yen. I haven't diverted it. I have no idea what the money was used for. "

According to the people concerned, the Kindergarten Federation has set up a special committee inside to investigate how to spend a large amount of money with lawyers.

Acting Chairman Masamichi Tanaka of the Kindergarten Federation, which is conducting an internal investigation, said, "I am very sorry to all the parents and children involved in private kindergartens nationwide as an organization."

Former Chairman "The funds are not diverted"

Former Chairman Kei Kagawa of the All Japan Private Kindergarten Association, who resigned last November, responded to NHK's interview for more than two hours this month.

Regarding the large amount of unclear money, former chairman Kagawa said, "On November 27, last year, the federation pointed out that there was a hole in the fund. The secretariat manages the federation's accounts and accounting books. However, the chairman offered to resign because he was responsible for managing and supervising the administrative staff. A total of 100 million yen, including funds for international exchange and disaster countermeasures, was withdrawn without approval by the board of directors. I have heard that it was done. "

After that, "Last month, the federation asked me,'I think I diverted it individually,' but I answered,'I'm definitely not diverting it.' I have no idea what the money was used for. "

What is the All Japan Private Kindergarten Association?

The "All Japan Private Kindergarten Association" is a voluntary organization established in April 1984 for the purpose of promoting early childhood education. It has an office in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, and as of September last year, it has approximately 7,500 in 47 prefectures nationwide. Private kindergartens are members.

According to the website, the Kindergarten Association requested the government and parliamentarians to take promotion measures such as the realization of free early childhood education, which started in October, with the main financial resources such as membership fees and donations collected from kindergartens. In addition, we are engaged in research and research related to early childhood education, improving the qualifications of faculty and staff, and providing welfare programs.

According to the income and expenditure report of the general account of the 2018 financial statements published on the homepage, the business income is about 237 million yen including the membership fee of about 175 million yen collected from the kindergarten.

In addition to the general account, the Kindergarten Federation has set up multiple funds for proper asset management, but according to the people concerned, at least the "Japan Foundation" and "Disaster Countermeasures Fund" have formal procedures. It was withdrawn shortly after, and the balance was almost gone.

According to the bylaws of the federation, the "Japan Foundation" is reserved for conducting overseas exchanges related to early childhood education, and the operating profit of the fund can be used for the necessary expenses of the business.

According to the people concerned, the reserve amount is about 100 million yen, and the bylaws stipulate that a vote of the general meeting of the federation is required when the fund is to be withdrawn, and that the status of asset management will be reported to the general meeting.

The "Disaster Countermeasures Fund" is set aside up to 100 million yen to provide sympathy money to kindergartens, kindergartens, and faculty members who have been damaged by the disaster. is.

At the office of the Kindergarten Association in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, there is also an organization called the "All Japan Private Kindergarten PTA Association", which is a member of the public interest incorporated foundation "All Japan Private Kindergarten Early Childhood Education and Research Organization" and the parents of kindergartens.