A Letter from Noriko Mizuta, April 25th, 2017

For the April 19th, 2017 "Press Conference" by the University, Noriko Mizuta wrote a letter as below.

To My Friends

A Letter from Noriko Mizuta

April 25, 2017

It came to my knowledge that on April 19, 2017, Kitamura Yukihisa, a former Japanese government officer of the Deliberative Council of the Ministry of Education and Science, now the General Manager, as well as the head officer of the Chancellor’s Office, Josai University Educational Corporation, held a press conference announcing that former Chancellor Dr. Noriko Mizuta had committed acts of financial malpractice. Kitamura delivered a public formal apology stating he was “very sorry that such inappropriate expenditures were made at a school with such a highly public profile.”

Kitamura also announced that the University will implement an “Investigative Committee” consisting of “third-party” members appointed by the University.

This public “apology” by Kitamura was televised as well posted online widely in Japan. Many friends approached me to express their support for me, as well as their concern and indignation regarding this sudden action by the University.

It’s impossible to write about all that is going on, since this news came as a surprise to me and I still do not know the whole picture concerning this issue, but today, I would like to make several points, which I hope to communicate to my friends at this point in time.

Point 1

There are no facts pertaining to my so-called malpractice as reported. It is unknown exactly how Kitamura decided to claim the facts of financial malpractice that Mr. Kitamura is sorry for. It was never explained to me nor was I ever given any opportunity to respond to these charges. The business trips abroad they mentioned were conducted properly, and were all valid and necessary for university business. It is untrue for Kitamura to claim them as “false” business trips abroad. His claim that unclear expenditures were made as condolence gifts is equally without foundation.

Point 2

There has never been any discussion among the Board of Directors (of which I am a member) of any necessity of implementing an “Investigative Committee.” Who, how, and when was it decided to establish such a committee was not known to me as a Board Member. Therefore, the structure of the committee itself is questionable since it does not follow due procedure in its constitution.

Point 3

It should also be noted that Kitamura, General Manager of the Josai University Educational Corporation, had already decided the specific items for investigation as malpractice and Kitamura is already offering a public apology for them. Although he named me as the wrong-doer of these financial malpractices, I have never been given any opportunities to be “investigated” by the “investigation committee,” and thus have never been given any opportunity to rebut these charges or to explain their circumstances. Due process for the investigation has clearly been neglected.

Point 4

What is the real purpose and objective of the two former government officers, Ono Motoyuki, Acting Chancellor of the University (former Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Education and Science) and Kitamura Yukihisa, Head Secretary to the acting Chancellor Ono and General Manager of the University (former Deliberative Councilor of the Ministry of Education and Science), to publicly announce the implementation of the “Investigative Committee” at this time? It is still questionable to me. They could easily have waited for the actual results of the so-called “investigation.” At this point, when it is still beginning to be implemented, there is no valid reason for Kitamura to deliberately invite a group of journalists affiliated with the Ministry of Education and Science in order to make a “public apology.” As a result of this action, students, faculty, and staff were greatly shocked; it was an inappropriate act that risks the social credibility of the University, which we always endeavored to hold high.

Point 5

Ono Motoyuki, Acting Chancellor of the University (former Vice Minister, Ministry of Education and Science), at the November 30 Board of Directors Meeting claimed that I suffer from “dementia” and accused me of committing “embezzlement” of University money without producing any evidence. I tried to counter argue that what he is claiming is untrue and without foundation, and requested that he retract what he had said, but he simply refused without giving any reason.

This forced me to file a law suit against Ono Motoyuki individually for defamation of character. This case was filed in February 2017 with the Tokyo Local Court. The first hearing is scheduled for May 10. I believe and trust that before long, the truth will be revealed.

A number of friend sare concerned that the University purposefully held the so-called press conference before this hearing to convey their position to the general public, hoping that it might impact my case adversely. It might or it might not, I do not know, but all that I can do at this point in time is to trust the Japanese judicial system, and expect that justice will be served by revealing the unfairness of Ono’s words and actions, as well as his true intentions. I am confident that the truth will be revealed. So please take heart and have peace of mind.

I would like to add here that Mr. Taketomi Hiroto, former General Manager of the University, has also filed a law suit against Ono, as Ono forced Mr. Taketomi to resign, even though his employment contract had not yet expired. We are waiting for the court’s findings for Mr. Taketomi.

Point 6

It should be noted that all members of the Board of Directors that expressed agreement with Ono’s motion on November 30, 2016, still remain as Board Members or have now been appointed to high official positions at the University, including that of President. Mr. Yanagisawa Hakuo, then President of the University, who disagreed with Ono’s motion was subsequently replaced by Sugibayashi, the new President, even though Mr. Yanagisawa’s contract had not expired. Professor Masumi Ishida, then Executive Board member who also disagreed with Ono, had to face the non-renewal of his contract as a member of the Board. In addition, two Auditors of the University, Mr. Suzuki Tatsuro and Mr. Kitajima Iichiro, who strongly disagreed with and criticized Ono’s words and behavior at the November 30 Board Meeting were similarly not renewed at the end of their terms.

In April 2017, as the new academic year started, Ono, still serving as Acting Chancellor and Sugibayashi Kenji new President of the University wrote to tell me that there will be no new classes offered in my name, notifying me as well that my dissertation advisees will be reassigned to other faculty advisors. Suddenly my students were left without their thesis advisor, and I am removed from my teaching obligation to those students whose doctoral degree dissertations are nearing completion this summer. This was a sad blow to me, imagining how it must have come as shocking news to my students. I strongly protest this decision made by Ono and Sugibayashi, who have violated these students’ academic rights.

Last Point

Looking back at what has happened to me, I find myself alone and surrounded by enemies. But, my friends, your words of support and concern are sustaining me, in spite of this situation. In addition to your generosity and confidence, I am fortunate to have Mr. Shunzo Ohmuro, as my attorney, who remains deeply committed to correcting this injustice. With your support, I will continue to devote myself unceasingly to my duties as a member of the Board of Directors; I am determined to make the University grow strong and healthy, and become one of Japan’s leading private educational institutions.

Thank you for your continued friendship and support.

Sincerely yours,

Noriko Mizuta