Japanese Influencer Gets Suspended Prison Sentence for Tax Evasion

Reika Kuroki, a 38-year-old social media influencer, was sentenced Wednesday to two years and six months in prison, suspended for four years, for tax evasion, the Tokyo District Court ruled. Japan Times reported that the court also imposed a fine of 40 million yen on Solarie, the advertising agency where Kuroki serves as president.

Kuroki, who uses the name Reika Miyazaki on social media and has about 440,000 Instagram followers, promoted cosmetics and other products on the platform at the request of advertising agencies and received fees through Solarie, informed sources said.

She and Solarie were charged with evading corporate and other taxes totaling 157 million yen in the year through January 2021 and the two years through January 2024. ” “Their motives were self-centered, and they bear a grave responsibility,” Sasaki said, adding that a suspended sentence was warranted because the defendants have already completed filing an amended tax return.

Two unnamed men each received suspended sentences for aiding Kuroki by issuing fictitious receipts and other acts.

During the trial, Kuroki stated that sales increased more than expected and that she was deeply reflecting on her actions of committing a serious crime.