The Japan Fashion Week Organization, which sponsors the Tokyo Collection, the nation's biggest fashion event, gave a government grant last year to a label owned by a member of its selection committee, sources said Saturday.
The apparent conflict of interest is likely to draw fire since the event involves joint public- and private-sector efforts to bolster the Japanese fashion industry's competitiveness and growth.
The JFW's committee annually selects 10 fashion brands that each receive ¥2 million in grants from the JFW and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to cover the production costs for fashion shows held in October and March. The brands are also exempt from charges for using the event venues.