Window Dressing by Startup: Fraudulent Accounting Practice Undermines Japan’s Growth Strategy |
Editorial
14:51 JST, December 1, 2025
It is essential for Japan’s economic growth that emerging companies be nurtured, but allegations of a fraudulent practice that hinders this trend have been revealed. Oversight measures need to be strengthened to prevent recurrences.
The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office has indicted four people — including the former president of artificial intelligence service company Alt Inc., which was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Growth section — on suspicion of violating the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law by inflating sales to window-dress the company’s earnings.
Out of ¥12.8 billion in sales from 2022 to 2024, ¥11.1 billion, or more than 80% of the total, is believed to have been falsely reported. The company went public in October 2024 but was delisted in August this........