We received information that a reporter from the NHK News Bureau was making fraudulent expense claims, and when we investigated, we found that there was a strong suspicion that it included private food and drink. NHK has established a third-party committee consisting of external experts to conduct the investigation.
The person suspected of making the fraudulent expense claim is a reporter in his 30s who belongs to the NHK news bureau.
Information was received in July this year, and when I investigated, I found that there was a strong suspicion that the expenses billed included tens of thousands of yen for private eating and drinking expenses with acquaintances in Tokyo last year.
In addition to the above, there are several other cases where fraud is suspected, and we are in the process of confirming them.
In response to this, NHK announced on March 7 that it would promptly establish a third-party committee consisting of external experts and proceed with an investigation into the facts in order to fulfill accountability, although it is an area related to reporting and production.
We will also investigate whether similar cases have occurred under the supervision of a third-party committee.
NHK commented, "It is outrageous that something that should not have happened in the core organization of news reporting, such as the private use of public subscription fees, has occurred, and we will thoroughly investigate and strictly deal with it."