The Tokyo District Court has sentenced Koichi Hikichi, head of the Japan Cosmetic Association, to one year in prison for bribery involving University of Tokyo researchers.
The Tokyo District Court sentenced Koichi Hikichi to one year in prison on May 26, 2026, for bribing researchers at the University of Tokyo in connection with joint research.
The case centers on activities linked to the cosmetics sector and collaboration between the association and the university.
The ruling highlights accountability for industry leaders in maintaining integrity in academic partnerships.