The former head of the Japan branch of a French auto parts manufacturer was arrested on suspicion of embezzlement in the course of business, alleging that he had deposited more than 1 million yen from the company's deposit account. He denies the charges.
Among those arrested was Kozo Tashima, 57, the former head of the Japan branch of LID Technologies, a France-based automobile and motorcycle parts manufacturer.
According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, between early January and late December, he transferred approximately 1 million yen from the company's deposit account to his own account more than 12 times, and is suspected of embezzlement in the course of business.
The former representative was in charge of general accounting, such as managing branch accounts and paying taxes, but in October last year, the company filed a criminal complaint alleging that the balance of the account was decreasing, and the Metropolitan Police Department was investigating.
In response to the investigation, he denied the charges, saying, "I did not embezzle, it was the perception that it was the payment of company expenses, salary payments, and my own retirement allowance."
The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the details of the embezzled money, which is believed to have been used for horse races and boat races.