In a startling revelation, Hongonichi Transport, a well-known logistics company in Japan, has been accused of concealing around 300 million yen in income. This news breaks amid multifaceted economic challenges that Japan faces during the pandemic era. The authorities are investigating and potentially preparing to press charges.

Issues of tax evasion and white-collar crime typically garner significant attention in Japan, as honesty and integrity are highly respected in the society and are established in the legal system. The Japanese care deeply about business ethics; therefore, corporations involved in tax scandals often get public scrutiny and face severe backlash.

Such incidents of tax evasion are treated similarly in the US or EU, where integrity in business practices is highly valued. The laws and regulations against tax evasion are robust, and corporations found guilty are heavily sanctioned and may face reputational damage.