A doctor at the University of Tokyo Hospital who was involved in bribery was arrested.

Donations to a University of Tokyo associate professor are a "clandestine." Hospital corruption. The reality of sloppy management.

https://mainichi.jp/articles/20251120/k00/00m/040/203000c

Mainichi Shimbun

2025/11/20 16:47 (Last updated 11/20 17:40)

Suspect Matubara Takehiro (center) appears before a Metropolitan Police Department official. Photographed at 10:41 PM on November 19, 2025, in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.

 An orthopedic surgeon at the University of Tokyo Hospital was arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department for allegedly accepting bribes in exchange for favors to a medical device manufacturer.

 This case is another example of a long-standing case of collusion between doctors and contractors. In this case, the bribes used were "donations" to a university hospital.

 In recent years, national universities across Japan have been desperately trying to raise donations to secure research funding.

 However, multiple sources associated with the University of Tokyo have revealed that "once faculty members receive donations intended for researchers, they can spend them freely with almost no oversight. Although the donations go into the university's account, they effectively become the researchers' personal wallets."

 This incident highlights how the laxity of this system has led to the misuse of donations.

《University of Tokyo Associate Professor Received 700,000 Yen》

 The suspect arrested on suspicion of bribery is Associate Professor Matubara Takehiro (53), of the Faculty of Medicine.

 According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Second Investigation Division, Matubara Takehiro is suspected of having a total of 800,000 yen transferred to an account in the name of the university hospital in September 2021 and January 2023 in exchange for preferential use of medical equipment from Japan MDM, a medical equipment manufacturer listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market (Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo).

 Matubara Takehiro received nearly 700,000 yen from this account, after deducting university expenses.

 Suzuki Takayuki (41), former sales manager of Japan MDM, was also arrested on suspicion of bribery.

 The Metropolitan Police Department has not disclosed whether the two men have admitted to the charges.