Masami Yabumoto, the former chairman of the medical corporation Kinshukai, has spoken publicly for the first time since his arrest in the breach-of-trust case involving Nihon University, saying he has things he wants to say about the trial. "The scenario the prosecutors drew up is unreasonable," he said. "I have things I want to say too."
Yabumoto gave the interview to nonfiction writer Nobuhiko Nishizaki, and Weekly Bunshun is running it as a serialized long-form account. Known as a "Naniwa political fixer" — an Osaka businessman who moved between politics and money — he was on friendly terms with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and with the Mongolian sumo grand champion Asashoryu, both of whom called him "Yacchan."
A friendship with Abe
The serial covers his relationship with Abe, which it describes as a friendship little known to the public, along with the dominance of his father Hideo and how it shaped him. It also addresses why he believes prosecutors made him a target.
The interview material is being published across several paid articles on Weekly Bunshun's digital edition. The print issue carrying it is dated October 29, 2026.
A second voice from the case
Separately, the same weekly reported a remark by Nihon University chairman Mariko Tanaka, 74, during questioning by investigators. "Mr. Prosecutor, you're looking down on us because you think this is Nihon University, aren't you," Tanaka said, according to the report.