163 JAPANESE JOCKEYS, TRAINERS GOT VIRUS AID IMPROPERLY: KYODO NEWS

A total of 163 jockeys, trainers, and others in horse racing have inappropriately obtained a combined 187 million yen ($1.73 million) using a government program for businesses hit by the coronavirus pandemic, an industry association said, Kyodo News reported.

The Japan Racing Association (JRA) revealed the number after conducting a survey targeting 2,748 people concerned after allegations emerged of racehorse trainers and others taking advantage of the government scheme.

In all, 165 used the government program, and 163, including 13 jockeys, have returned or are in the process of returning the money they received inappropriately. The association did not reveal the names of the jockeys, 19 trainers, or others, citing privacy.

A tax accountant in Osaka, western Japan, also a horse owner, was found to have encouraged people in the horseracing industry to apply for the government program and pocketed a maximum of 10 percent of the amount each received as a fee.

The JRA is planning to gather more details by interviewing the tax accountant, known to have helped about 104 people, or 60 percent of the 165, receive government money.

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