NHK Service Center Inc. said it fired an employee Friday for misappropriating operational funds intended for an international figure skating competition.
The 38-year-old employee, who was in charge of accounting for the competition hosted by the Japan Skating Federation, is believed to have embezzled some 3.7 million yen for his personal use between fiscal 2000 and fiscal 2004 by underreporting gate proceeds, said the center, an NHK affiliate.
His identity is being withheld because he has not been charged with a crime.
The NHK unit is thinking of filing a criminal complaint against the employee and cutting the salaries of six executives, including President Katsumi Yamada, for failing to supervise him properly, it said.
The company also said it has decided to withdraw from accounting duties for the International Figure Skating Competition NHK Trophy.