An independent panel investigating misappropriation of funds by the All Japan Judo Federation said Friday that 27 coaches received illegal payments to the tune of ¥36.2 million.
They received subsidies provided by the Japan Sports Council from fiscal 2007 onward during periods where they did not actually coach any athletes, the panel said in its final report on the investigation.
The investigating committee, headed by lawyer Takahiro Yamauchi, issued a damning midterm report in April that indicated that the federation lacked a law-abiding spirit. One issue with the judo body was the receipt of funds intended for coaches by some federation directors who did not train athletes.